Timeless Biblical Truth.
When believers begin to envy the lifestyle of the wicked they can regain a godly view of the life of faith by seeking the presence of God and remembering His promises of their eternal destiny and the sure destruction of the wicked.
- Discontentment: When believers fixate on the prosperity of the ungodly, they are tempted to feel that their faithfulness to God is worthless (1-16).
- Believers know that God is good to them, although they are sometimes tempted to doubt His goodness (1-3).
- Believers begin to doubt the wisdom of serving God when they fixate on the successful lifestyle of the wicked (4-12). The envious perspective of the lifestyle of the wicked: 1. The wicked appear to have a life free from trouble (4-5). 2. The wicked are known for being ruthless in their pride (6). 3. The wicked have all that they desire (7). 4. The wicked speak arrogantly (8-10). 5. The wicked are insolent before God (11).
- When believers fixate on the successful lifestyle of the wicked, they we begin to doubt the value of being faithful to God (13-14).
- When believers begin to doubt the value of being faithful to God, they must be careful how we express their doubts to other believers (15-16).
- Contentment: When believers concentrate on the benefits of faithfulness to God and sure destiny of the wicked, they experience again the joy of the Lord and praise Him (17-28).
- When believers return their concentration on God, they will remember how God will deal with the wicked (17-20).
- Believers will find their faith confirmed by contemplating their hope of glory in God’s presence (21-26). 1. Confession of sin: When believers envy the lifestyle of the ungodly they are acting ignorantly (21-22). 2. Confession of faith: Believers affirm that they have a glorious future with God (23-24). 3. Conclusion: Believers cherish God who is their strength and portion (25-26).
- Believers know that those who rebel against God will perish, but they themselves we again experience joy and safety in His presence (27-28).
Questions for Second Milers
- Who is this Asaph who composes this psalm? (Cf. 1 Chronicles 16:4-7; 2 Chronicles 29:30).
- Contrast the psalmist’s positive attitude at the conclusion of the psalm with the doubts he expressed early in the psalm.
- What caused him to start slipping in his faith and commitment to God?
- How do you react when the prosperity of the wicked leads you think they have “benefits” that you do not have? How does that affect your joy and understanding of life (relate to verse 22)?
- How did the psalmist overcome his doubts? What verse marks this turning point in his perspective? How have you experienced a similar turning point about something?
- What does the psalmist say about the final justice for the believer and the wicked?
- Has the psalmist’s experience given you God’s perspective on something that is causing you to doubt and worry?
- Why should we be careful in speaking about our doubts to other believers?
- Contrast those far from and near God. How does God deal with each?
- Give your own short title to this psalm.
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
