The following post is from my new book, available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKJX3SFT
How to Pray Like David:
A Bible Study on Psalms 73-106
Psalms Bible Study Guides, Volume 3
Here’s the chapter on Psalm 73, entitled
“The Greener Grass of God”
“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
This proverb has been around for centuries.
The Roman poet Ovid, who was alive when Jesus was born, wrote, “The harvest is always richer in another man’s field.”
Our modern version may trace its origin to the 1924 American folk song, “The Grass Is Always Greener in the Other Fellow’s Yard.”
Here’s an excerpt:
The grass is always greener
In the other fellow’s yard.
The little row
We have to hoe,
Oh boy that’s hard.
But if we all could wear
Green glasses now,
It wouldn’t be so hard
To see how green the grass is
In our own backyard.
This proverb communicates exactly what Asaph experiences in Psalm 73. Here we see what happens to a believer when he looks around and compares himself to the wicked, who appear to have a better life.
“For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (v. 3). “Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches” (v. 12).
It is human nature to think that other people’s lives are superior to our own. We are prone to see the negative in our situation and therefore become dissatisfied with what we have. When this discontentment is readily joined to jealousy, anger and bitterness are bound to follow. We are convinced that the unbeliever has greener grass. One bad attitude leads to another, and before you know it, we stop counting our blessings and soon forget the goodness of God. If this is what my life is going to be like, what’s the point of following Christ? “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence” (v. 13).
Such is the downward spiral of a distorted perspective.
Fortunately, Asaph doesn’t remain in this condition. Verses 16 and 17 describe the turning point:
“But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task,
until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I discerned their end.”
By spending time in “the sanctuary of God,” the psalmist is reminded of the truth of God regarding the final fate of the wicked, and this makes all the difference. In verses 18 and 19 he reflects on what happens to an unbeliever when he dies. More specifically, he recounts what God will do to the wicked on Judgment Day,
“Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin.
How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors.”
What a difference an eternal perspective can make! Oh, that we would spend more time in the presence of God, hearing the Word of God and its teaching on the ultimate destiny of the wicked . . . and the righteous.
This psalm is a gripping reminder that the so-called “prosperity of the wicked” is temporary while their misery will last forever. Furthermore, it is a breathtaking reminder that no matter what our lot in this life, we have an infinitely brighter future. We have God and the joy of his presence — today, tomorrow, and for eternity. What could be better than that?
We have access to the “green glasses” of Scripture. Let us be like Asaph and wear them every day. Otherwise, our perspective will be twisted and the lies of the devil will hold sway in our hearts.
Instead, may the truth of the Word fill our minds and cause us to sing:
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:24-26
Psalm 73: Questions for Further Study, Refection & Discussion
1. Let’s take a close look at the people in this psalm. The main characters are Asaph, the wicked, and God. Read through the psalm and identify all references to each of these characters. One way is to print out the psalm on a sheet of paper and mark all occurrences of each person. You can highlight each occurrence with three different colors, or use three different shapes (for example, a circle for Asaph, a rectangle for the wicked, and a triangle for God.) Be sure to mark all the various words used to designate each character, including the pronouns (I/me/my for Asaph; they/them/their for the wicked; you/your for God).
You can see how I’ve done this exercise here:
https://godwrotethebook.com/psalm-73-main-characters/
After doing this exercise, look at the overall structure and flow of the psalm. What do you see? What is the progression of thought here? Note the frequency with which the author mentions the main characters in the successive sections of the psalm.
2a. How does Asaph describe the attitudes, behaviors, and final destiny of the wicked? What is true and what is merely his perception?
2b. How does Asaph describe the attitudes, behaviors, and final destiny of himself? How does his attitude change, and why?
In your descriptions above, be sure to include what the psalm says about the heart of Asaph and the wicked. See verses 1, 7, 13, 21, 26.
3. What does this psalm teach us about God and the way He relates to the Asaph and the wicked?
4. What does this psalm teach us about the relationship between our perception of others and the origin of envy?
5. How have you dealt with the temptation to be envious of others, especially non-Christians? How can others pray for you in this regard?
6. Do you ever experience envy of other Christians? How can others pray for you about this?
7. Verses 23-28 contain one of the most precious professions of faith found in Scripture. Which sentences resonate most with you, and why?
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