Psalm 73 - Faith on Trial

We will skip for the next few weeks to cover some of the most important psalms in the arrangement of the Psalter.  After that, the plan is to come back and cover psalm 25 etc.


Psalm 73 is one of the most important psalms in the Psalter as it is placed at the beginning of book III.  Here is the introduction from the ESV Study Bible.  But note that the psalm should also be read in connection with Pss. 37 and 72.


This is a wisdom psalm, helping those who sing it to rest content even when unbelievers seem to get along without a care in the world, so that the faithful are tempted to join them. Their help comes from taking to heart where the different life paths of the faithful and the unbelievers are headed: each one is going toward either nearness to God or separation from him, a nearness or separation that will apply both now and in the afterlife. Psalm 73 is thus a companion to Psalm 49. The singer remembers that he discerned these different destinations while he was in the sanctuary of God, namely, at public worship (which points the congregation to what they should look for as they worship).



The following division (from McCann) is acceptable and useful:

Vv1-12 outline the problem, within which the plight of the psalmist receives 3 lines and the prosperity of the wicked receives 9.

Vv13-17 function as a five-verse unit indicate the turning point, while

vv18-28 describe a solution where 3 lines explain the plight of the wicked and 9 describe the prosperity of the psalmist.



There are multiple problems and questions that this psalm raises.  Here are a few of them:


1) What is the psalmist's main problem?
2) How do you understand the 'turning point' in vv. 13-17.
3) What are some practical lessons that can be learned from this psalm when dealing with issues that question your basic beliefs about God?
4) How do you understand the 'entering in the sanctuary' in v. 17?
5) Reflect on vv. 23-28.  What are the 'solutions' present in these verses?

Prepare to Praise the King of Glory

This is another amazing psalm, even though it is little known.  Kraus titles it: “The Entry of Yahweh, the King of the World.”  That is rather well said.

My study will concentrate on the theme of right worship and I will probably end up agreeing with Allen P. Ross (I am still studying the psalm) in his excellent commentary on the Psalms.

According to Ross, the “expository idea that best expresses the message of the psalm would be something like this: Those who assemble to praise the sovereign LORD of creation for his mighty and glorious acts of deliverance must be pure in thought and deed (if they are to find God’s favor and vindication). 

Here is the introduction and division as found in the ESV Study Bible:

Psalm 24. This psalm seems fitted for some liturgical occasion, perhaps one that celebrates the way that David brought the ark of the Lord into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6); this would explain the interest in God’s presence in Ps. 24:3–6, and the address to the gates in vv. 7–10. The psalm asserts the astounding idea that the God who created and owns everything is the very same God into whose presence the faithful worshiper enters because of the covenant with Israel. Such is the privilege of being Israel, and such too defines their mission, namely, to bring God’s fame to all his creation, and especially to all mankind.

Ps. 24:1–2 The Lord Is Creator and Owner of All. 

 Ps. 24:3–6 Who Receives Blessing from Him? 

 Ps. 24:7–10 Lift Up Your Heads, O Gates! Readers may imagine this as the call and response before the gates of Jerusalem: in v. 7 the procession bearing the ark announces God’s presence in the ark, seeking entry into his sanctuary; Who is this King of glory? (v. 8a) is the reply, asking for further identification. The procession then says who the Lord is (The Lord, strong and mighty, theLord, mighty in battle!), and then repeats the request for entry (v. 9). Again the doorkeepers reply, asking for identification (v. 10a), and again the procession identifies the Lord (v. 10b).

Ponder and pray with me over the following questions:

1)     How are the sections in this psalm connected?

2)     Do you recognize the sovereign reign of God over your life and all creation?

3)     What are the proper steps to take when approaching God?

4)     Can this psalm be interpreted Christologically? How?

5)     Note that this psalm is usually understood in connection with psalms 22 (The King in Suffering = past) and 23 (The King in Life = present).  In psalm 24 we find the King in Glory = future.  Do you agree with this interpretation/insight?

Teaching pastor,

Cristian R