Finding Clarity in God's Goodness Amidst Injustice

Psalm 73 brings us face to face with the tension between what we know to be true about God’s goodness and what we often see in the world around us. The psalmist begins by affirming the goodness of God to those who are pure in heart, but quickly confesses his own struggle: he nearly stumbled because he was envious of the prosperity of the wicked. The world, both in ancient Israel and today, often seems to reward those who have no fear of God, while those who seek to live righteously face hardship and suffering. This apparent injustice can lead to deep disillusionment, bitterness, and even a crisis of faith.

The psalmist describes how the testimony of the wicked—by their lives and their words—can be compelling. Their ease, wealth, and pride seem to mock God’s promises, and even God’s people can be tempted to “drink” from the same cup, longing for the life that appears so good on the surface. The struggle is not just external; it becomes internalized as the psalmist’s own heart begins to question the value of faithfulness. He confesses the pain of waking each morning to the reality of his suffering, feeling as though his efforts to keep his heart clean have been in vain.

Yet, the turning point comes when the psalmist enters the sanctuary of God. There, his perspective is transformed. God “zooms out” his vision, allowing him to see beyond the immediate circumstances to the ultimate end of the wicked and the enduring goodness of God. What seemed like solid ground for the wicked is revealed to be a slippery slope leading to ruin. The fleeting pleasures of this life are exposed as a dream that vanishes at dawn, while the nearness of God is shown to be the only true and lasting good.

The psalmist confesses his own embittered heart, recognizing how jealousy and other sins can cloud our vision and make us “like a beast” before God. But in God’s mercy, he is restored to clarity and worship. He realizes that God has been holding him all along, guiding him with counsel, and will ultimately receive him into glory. The psalm ends with a renewed testimony: “It is good to be near God.” In the face of a world that often seems upside down, the cross of Christ stands as the ultimate answer, showing that God’s goodness and justice are never defeated, even when evil appears to triumph.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The apparent prosperity of the wicked is a powerful deception that can tempt even the faithful to doubt God’s goodness. When we see those who disregard God thriving, it is easy to become envious and lose sight of the truth. The allure of their “testimony” is not just in their words, but in the visible ease and success they seem to enjoy, which can make us question the value of righteousness. [07:20]
• 2. Our own hearts can become a source of false testimony, especially in seasons of suffering or grief. The psalmist’s confession that he felt his efforts were “in vain” reveals how pain can distort our perception of God and ourselves. It is crucial to recognize these internal voices and resist the urge to let them define our reality or our witness to others. [14:22]
• 3. True perspective comes not from analyzing circumstances, but from entering the presence of God. The sanctuary is where the psalmist’s vision is restored, and he is able to see the end of the wicked and the enduring goodness of God. When we are overwhelmed by confusion or despair, seeking God’s presence is the only way to regain clarity and hope. [18:12]
• 4. Jealousy and other soul-sicknesses can make us “brutish and ignorant,” unable to see God or ourselves rightly. These heart conditions are not minor distractions but deep spiritual dangers that can rob us of wisdom and lead us away from God. Honest confession and repentance are necessary steps to restore our spiritual sight and humility. [22:39]
• 5. The nearness of God is our true portion and security, not the fleeting comforts or successes of this world. Even when our flesh and heart fail, God’s strength and faithfulness remain. The cross of Christ is the ultimate sanctuary, where we see that God’s goodness and justice are never in doubt, and where we are invited to find refuge, perspective, and hope. [24:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:06] - Opening Prayer
• [02:11] - Longing for God’s Justice
• [03:27] - The World’s Injustice and Disillusionment
• [04:28] - The Battle for Perspective
• [05:31] - Affirming God’s Goodness
• [06:29] - The Testimony of the Wicked
• [07:56] - The Prosperity and Pride of the Wicked
• [09:38] - Wickedness Among God’s People
• [11:14] - Mocking God and the Compelling Testimony
• [12:54] - The Modern Gospel of Wickedness
• [14:22] - The Crisis of the Stricken Heart
• [16:39] - Wrestling with Doubt and Desperation
• [18:12] - The Turning Point: Entering God’s Sanctuary
• [21:01] - God’s Perspective on the Wicked
• [22:23] - Confession and Restoration
• [24:19] - The Goodness of God and Our True Refuge
• [26:28] - Christ: The Ultimate Sanctuary and Truth

Bible Reading

Psalm 73 (ESV) — Read the whole psalm together as a group. If time is short, focus on verses 1-3, 12-28.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 73, what specific things about the wicked made the psalmist envious? (see verses 3-12)
2. What was the turning point for the psalmist in his struggle with doubt and envy? (see verse 17)
3. How does the psalmist describe his own heart and attitude before God when he was struggling with jealousy? (see verses 21-22)
4. What does the psalmist finally declare about God and his own relationship with Him at the end of the psalm? (see verses 23-28)

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is the prosperity of the wicked described as a “powerful deception” that can tempt even faithful people to doubt God’s goodness? What makes it so compelling? [07:20]
2. The psalmist says his own heart became a source of “false testimony” during his suffering. What does this mean, and how can our own pain distort our view of God? [14:22]
3. Why is entering the “sanctuary of God” so important for the psalmist’s change in perspective? What does this suggest about where true understanding comes from? [18:12]
4. The psalmist confesses that jealousy and bitterness made him “like a beast” before God. What does this reveal about the spiritual danger of these attitudes? [22:39]

Application Questions

1. The psalmist admits he was tempted to envy the “good life” of those who don’t follow God. When have you felt this same temptation? What specific situations or people trigger these feelings for you? [07:20]
2. The psalmist’s pain led him to question if his faithfulness was “in vain.” Have you ever felt like your efforts to follow God weren’t worth it? What circumstances brought you to that place? [14:22]
3. The psalmist’s perspective changed when he entered God’s presence. What are some practical ways you can “enter the sanctuary” and seek God’s perspective when you feel confused or discouraged? [18:12]
4. Jealousy, bitterness, and other “soul-sicknesses” can cloud our vision. Are there any of these attitudes in your heart right now? How do they affect your relationship with God and others? [22:39]
5. The psalmist realized that God was holding him all along, even when he felt lost. Looking back, can you see times when God was guiding or sustaining you, even if you didn’t notice it at the time? [24:34]
6. The psalmist ends by saying, “It is good to be near God.” What does “nearness to God” look like for you in your daily life? Are there any changes you want to make to draw closer to Him? [24:34]
7. The sermon pointed to the cross of Christ as the ultimate answer to the world’s injustice and our doubts. How does remembering Jesus’ suffering and victory help you trust God’s goodness when life feels unfair? [28:16]