Psalm 73: the question of why do the wicked prosper

Psalm 77: Is a community lament

Psalm 77 is a community lament, perhaps because the people were suffering under God’s anger for some unfaithfulness.  Each person singing acknowledges that they are part of the congregation and that their individual well-being is bound up with the well-being of the whole congregation.   1-3 – I cry aloud to God in the day of my trouble.  I cry, moan, meditate, and faint, with my hand outstretched.   4-9 – Has God forgotten to be gracious?  I consider the days of old when God was gracious.    10-20 – Now an appeal to what God has done in the past for his people, remembering God’s deeds, wonders, and works to preserve and to save his people.

Psalm 76: A hymn celebrating Zion

Psalm 76 is a hymn celebrating Zion as the place God has chosen for his people and his Temple. The people sing at the privilege of going to Zion and there worshipping God. 1-2 – God has made his abode in Zion. 3-9 – No one can stand against God on Zion. God rebukes the Gentile invaders. 10-12 – All the people should praise God and bring him gifts for his saving power to protect, Zion, the city, the people and the Temple.

Psalm 75: A hymn of praise

Psalm 75 is a hymn of praise.  The psalm thanks God for the wonderful things he has done for Israel and celebrates that God is judge of all the earth and will one day put down the wicked and lift up the faithful.   1 – We give thanks to God and recount his wonderous deeds.   2-5 – God declares that at the set time he will judge the earth, rebuking the boastful and the wicked.   6-8 – It is God who executes judgment, lifting up the faithful and putting down the wicked.  All the wicked of the earth will be put down.     9-10 – And the singer will declare God’s praises forever.

Psalm 74: A Cry of Anguish

Psalm 74 is a community lament, a cry of anguish over a disaster that has fallen on the people and destroyed the Temple of God. There is the plea that even though this may come from God in punishment, yet do not let the Gentiles scorn God for this tragedy. 1-3 – Why God did you let this tragedy happen to us? 4-8 – A description is presented of how the Temple of God, the dwelling place of god’s name, was destroyed. 9-11 – Puzzlement over why God is silent during this destruction. 12-17 – Recalling the past wonders that were worked by God and acknowledging that salvation comes from God. 18-23 –For the sake of the covenant, deliver us.

Psalm 73: the question of why do the wicked prosper

Psalm 73 is a psalm of wisdom and the first psalm in Book 3.  Asaph struggles with the question of why do the wicked prosper.  Spoiler alert, ultimately the faithful and the wicked have different destinations.   1-3 – The wicked prospered and Asaph envied them.   4-12 – The wicked are free from the troubles that the faithful face on a daily basis.   13-15 – Asaph had bitter feelings and felt that he had lived a faithful life in vain.   16-17 – Asaph found the answer to his anguish in the sanctuary of God.    18-20 – The destiny of the wicked is destruction.   21-28 – The destiny of the faithful is four-fold.  God is continually with us.  He holds our right hand in protection.  God guides us with counsel.  After death, God will take us into glory.  Our treasure is in heaven not in this world.  God is our strength and our inheritance forever.  In this life it is good to be near God, and to make him our refuge.