Almost Slipped

Ps 73: 1 – 28

NIV 73:2 but as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

Ps 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

* The psalmist’s temptation. (#1-14) How he gained a victory over it. (#15-20) How he profited by it. (#21-28)

1-14 The psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked. (A common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints).

But he finds the great principle by which he determined to abide. It is the goodness of God. This is a truth, which cannot be shaken.

Good thoughts of God will fortify against Satan’s temptations. The faith even of strong believers may be sorely shaken and ready to fail. There are storms that will try the firmest anchors.

Ps 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Foolish and wicked people have sometimes a great share of outward prosperity.

They seem to have the least share of the troubles of this life;

And they seem to have the greatest share of this world comforts.

They live without the fear of God, yet they prosper, and get on in the world.

Ps 73:12 Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.

:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

And chastened every morning;

Not in wrath, but in love, and for good.

not with the chastisement of a cruelty, but of a loving and tender father;

as if there was nothing in religion

The occasion of it was a temptation the psalmist fell into, through the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, to think there was nothing in religion, that it was a vain and useless thing;

Ps 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.

Until he went into the house of God,

And was taught better.

When he acknowledged his stupidity and folly, and penned this psalm, to prevent others falling into the same snare, and to set forth the goodness of God to his people, even to such as are of a clean heart;

Ps 73:16 When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;

:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.

Ps 73:19 How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Ver. 21. Thus my heart was grieved,

Not with his own sins, nor with the sins of the wicked, but at their prosperity.

this is an account of himself, while under the temptation, and before he went into the sanctuary of the Lord;

and I was pricked in my reins;

Disturbed and distracted in his thoughts, felt a great deal of pain in his mind, while he was considering the prosperity of the wicked;

It was as a sword in his bones, and as an arrow shot into his reins;

Ps 73:22 So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.

Ps 73:25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.

:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Ps 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

The Psalmist is not the only one that questioned God, Jeremiah

Jer 12:1 ¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Hababuak questioned God.

But they all saw the end of the wicked and knew that was not the direction for them.

Ps 18:33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ [feet], and setteth me upon my high places.

Surety of the Lord.

Hab 3:19 The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Ps 73:28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

The writer comes to this conclusion [it is] good for me to draw near to God

How about you today? Are you questioning God? Are you living the life of prosperity? Are you in that number with the wicked?

It will be good for you today to draw near to God.