The Deceitfulness Of Sin

Psalm 73 The Deceitfulness Of Sin

1. THE PROBLEM STATED (73:1-3)

The Psalmist's Confidence in His Deity (:1) Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

The Psalmist's Consciousness of His Duty even to such as are of a clean heart.

The Psalmist's Confession of His Doubt

1. The Cause of His Doubt (:3) For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

2. The Consequence of His Doubt (:2) But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3. The Confusion of His Doubt 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.

2. The PROBLEM STUDIED (:4-16)

1. The Blessings of the Ungodly (:4-5) For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

2. The Behavior of the Ungodly (:6) Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 3. The Benefits of the Ungodly (:7) Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 4. The Blasphemies of the Ungodly (:8-9) They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

1. What the Wicked Said 11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

2. What the Writer Said (:12-16) He Confessed: a. The Private Consequences of Thinking like the Wicked 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.

b.The Public Consequences of Thinking like the Wicked (:15) If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

c. The Personal Consequences of Thinking like the Wicked (:16) When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

3. What the Writer Saw

3. The PROBLEM SOLVED (:17-28) (a) The Psalmist's Folly (:17-22) ;. How Could I Be So Blind? (:17-20)

a. Where He Stood when His Eyes Were Opened (:17) Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. b. What He Said when His Eyes Were Opened (:18-19) Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 2. How Could I Be So Dumb? (:20-22)

(b) The Psalmist's Future (:23-26) His Future Is Now Filled with the Vision of:

1. God's Presence (:23) Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

2. God's Protection (:24) Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

The Certainty Of Guidance Thou shalt guide me The Security Of Guidance with thy counsel,

The Priority Of Guidance and afterward

The Victory Of Guidance receive me to glory 3. God's Person (:25) Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 4. God's Provision (:26) My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (c) The Psalmist's Faith (:27-28)

1 The Consequence of a Godless Life (:27) For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

2 The Confidence of a Godly Life (: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.