I recently heard a sermon on this Psalm, and have decided to expand more on it; why do the wicked prosper?
This Psalm is written by Asaph, a worship leader / singer of Israel.
v1:
The Psalmist begins with a well-known fact, that God is good to those who obey Him.
v2:
He contrasts this with his current situation, which seems to be the opposite.
Although his heart is for God, God does not seem to be on his side; His favour is not with Him.
In fact, Asaph was so close to falling into a ditch. In other words, he was compassed with many troubles, although not crushed yet.
Please refer to Lam 3:22-24 article, for a similar imagery of being compassed with troubles.
v3:
Asaph compares himself with the wicked, and expresses his feelings of the unfairness seeing the wicked prosper.
v4:
One of the prosperity, was their good health.
NIV: “their body is fat”, culturally being fat was an indication of being rich, not an insult.
And they don’t die of diseases, NASB1995: “there are no pains in their death”.
v5:
They are also blessed with a carefree life, without any struggles, as most people do.
v6:
As a result of their prosperity, they are constantly proud and violent.
v7:
A metaphor, describing their wickedness / wicked heart.
v8:
Continuing from their pride brought up in v6, they speak arrogantly and mockingly about oppression.
This also implies, their attitude towards the marginalised and oppressed.
v9:
They speak as though there is no God hearing.
They oppress people, possibly abusing their power / status and implementing unreasonable policies over all the land.
v10:
With all the plentiful resources / wealth they have unjustly acquired from the people, they distribute it among themselves.
v11:
They think God does not know their evil doings, and they can hide from Him.
v12:
Asaph’s main lamentation of the wicked who prosper, is their wealth.
v13:
Asaph cannot reconcile the prosperity of the wicked, and his downfall even though he tries to please God.
He thinks it is worthless even to please God, and go all this mile for Him.
v14:
In fact obeying God has brought about more suffering and pain, than joy.
There’s no joy following God, he felt as though he has been punished and chastened continually by Him.
Where is God’s good hand, especially for those whose heart seeks after Him.
v15:
In spite of all that he was going through, Asaph dare not speak about his current situation on God’s seeming unfairness to the Israelites. For fear that on hearing his testimony, they might be stumbled.
Being a worship leader, he has to bite the bullet, and put up a strong front.
v16:
Asaph thus internally struggles, as he battled with the conundrum of God’s justice.
It is so hard, to put up a strong front, especially all that he was going through.
v17:
Describes a paradigm shift in Asaph perspectives, as he entered the temple / tabernacle. And he knew, that good will ultimately triumph over evil.
Asaph hence entered God’s presence, and drew near to Him.
In other words, he had fellowship and communion with God.
Please refer to John 1:1 article, second last paragraph for a recap on drawing near to God.
v18-20:
Asaph had to change his perspective, on seeing things from an eternal instead of temporal viewpoint.
From a temporal viewpoint the wicked prosper, but eventually they will be crushed and destroyed.
The temporal viewpoint is so short and transient, and so are our lives here on earth.
God may seem to favour the wicked now, but this is due to His mercies. He will execute justice one day, and they will be caught off-guard.
Please refer to Pretribulation article, for how all will have to stand before the throne of God during judgement day.
v21-22:
Asaph repents, and realises his allegory charges against God’s injustice was wrong and even absurd.
He was ashamed even, of his thoughts and behaviour.
v23-25:
Asaph re-pledges his allegiance to God, and acknowledges how God has always led and guided him.
The verse describes that God has always held his “right hand”.
This imaginary can also be interpreted, as a father guiding his children, or maybe a couple in a marriage covenant relationship too.
God is our Father / bridegroom, who thus holds our right hand.
Asaph had to also change his perspective, on what success means.
The worldview of success is commonly focussed on having wealth, health, and status.
But a godly perspective of success is knowing God intimately, and spending the rest of eternity with Him.
God has to be our topmost desire, above all things.
v26:
In spite of Asaph current difficulties, Asaph has thus chosen to rely and draw strength from God.
v27:
Those who practice evil and betrayed God, will certainly face destruction.
v28:
Asaph concludes, that it is still best to draw close to God, and pursue righteousness.
And to trust, that God has the best plans and purposes for him.
