Notes for Teacher/Facilitator
Psalm 73 is a personal lament in which the psalmist expresses some of his doubts about God’s provision in light of good things happening to bad people. The psalm progresses in a very clear manner: beginning with a statement of truth (v.1), the complaint he is lamenting (vv.2-3), a description of the people he is considering (vv.4-12), comparing his human response with God’s response (vv.15-26), and ending with a strong statement of truth once again (vv.27-28). The psalmist is identified as Asaph, which may be a reference to a figure in the Old Testament who is identified as a singer, seer, and songwriter (Ezra 2.41; 2 Chronicles 29.30; Nehemiah 12.46). Thus, the psalms attributed to Asaph may come from him or may come from the temple singers who stood in the tradition of Asaph.
Word Studies
Here are a few notes about particular words in this psalm:
- “Prosperity” (shalom) v.3: This is the Hebrew word that we most often translate as “peace,” though its meaning extends well beyond “peace” and/or “prosperity.” It implies completeness in number, soundness of body, welfare and health, and contentment and tranquility. A common way to translate shalom today is with the word “flourishing.”
- “Oppression” (osheq) v.8: This word means to cause intentional harm to a person or a people and often implies the idea of extortion, which means the act of taking something from someone through force or threats.
- “Afflicted” (naga) v.14: In this psalm this verb is used in the passive voice, meaning that the action of the verb is done to the subject of the verb. Since naga means “to touch” or “to strike,” in the passive it means “to be struck” or “to be attacked.” The psalmist is very clearly saying that he is the object of violent attacks by his enemies.
- “Brute beast” (behemah) v.22: This Hebrew word stands behind the English word “behemoth” and generally means something like a wild animal. The psalmist is here saying that his doubts caused him to be ignorant and irrational toward God, like a wild animal.
- “Portion” (cheleq) v.26: This word means something which is possessed by someone, often gained through some kind of conquest. Here God is named as the psalmist’s portion, meaning that through God’s work and his covenant, he has made himself available to all who enter into relationship with him.
Introduction
- Open your class/community time with prayer. Ask the Spirit of God to reveal himself to all of you through the Scriptures and through your discussion together.
- Discuss last week’s challenge and encourage people to share how the challenge went for them.
- Which of these questions is harder for you to wrestle with: 1) Why do bad things happen to good people?; or 2) Why do good things happen to bad people? How do you wrestle with them?
Bible Questions
- In verse 3 we learn that the psalmist almost slipped in his faith because he saw the prosperity (Hebrew: shalom) of the wicked. In other words, he was asking God a question like this: “Why do good things happen to bad people?” Is this a question you struggle with? Why or why not?
- In verse 12 the psalmist says that the wicked are “always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” Do you think that the psalmist’s understanding is correct? Are the wicked carefree or have the psalmist’s doubt and frustration caused him to understand things poorly?
- The psalmist says in verse 17 that it was entering the sanctuary of God, the temple, that helped him come around with regard to his doubt and frustration toward the wicked. Have you had that experience when coming to corporate worship? What about coming together to worship God helps bring clarity to us as followers of Jesus?
- The psalmist is moved by his connection to God, so much so that in verse 28 he says he wants to tell the world of the deeds of God. What might it take for you and your community to be excited to share the good news of Jesus with the world?
Discussion Questions
- Is our love for God called into question by our doubts and sincere questions? Why or why not?
- As brothers and sisters in Christ, how can we support one another in the midst of our confusion and doubt? What sorts of things are unhelpful in times of confusion and doubt?
- How do you think those who are far from the Lord view us when we pretend to never have doubts? Is exercising our ability to question God good for evangelism?
Takeaway
Questions and doubt can serve as catalysts toward our faith in Christ maturing and deepening!
Challenge
This week when something happens that causes you to want to question God, do so. Ask him where he is at in the midst of your confusing situation. Ask him to show up and to guide you through the scenario. Ask him to send others into your life who can offer support and help.