What does Psalm 73:2 mean?
Though Asaph's view of God is accurate (Psalm 73:1), there was a time when he almost lost his faith. The description here is of someone struggling to keep going, on a path which has suddenly become hard. Scripture often depicts spiritual life as a path, where stumbling or falling are metaphors for sin and disaster (Psalm 17:5; Jude 1:24–25). Something challenged Asaph's faith and nearly made it collapse. His steps had almost taken him away from a correct course. After carefully considering, however (Psalm 73:16–17), he would come back to the right conclusion (Psalm 73:28).This is something which can happen to any believer. Occasionally our limited understanding conflicts with what seems like an inconsistency on God's part. There are times when life experience does not easily agree with our belief system. These moments are like knocking someone off balance as they walk. They risk stumbling and falling as trouble throws their spiritual status into uncertainty.
The apostle Paul cautioned, "Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). When Job's faith was assaulted by numerous severe trials, his wife asked why he still held fast to his integrity. She urged him to curse God. But Job refused to do so. He asked whether he and she would receive good from God without also receiving calamity (Job 2:9–10). Nothing, not even hardship, should cause us to doubt that God is good (Romans 8:38–39).
Psalm 73:1–9 depicts a struggle which resonates with Christians in many eras of history. Asaph almost abandoned his faith in God because he envied the prosperous wicked. He describes them as healthy, wealthy, proud, violent, and profane. Job 21 includes a similar description of the wicked. The wording here is meant to be somewhat exaggerated, reflecting the painful perspective of godly people who suffer. The following verses discuss how the same problems lead others to question God, and how Asaph ultimately resolves his doubts and confirms his faith.
Seeing godless people thrive, even as they hatefully mock God, while believers suffer, leads many people to a crisis of faith. This was the case for Asaph. Using exaggerated imagery, he complains to the Lord that it seems as if evil people have easy lives, while godly people suffer. Further reflection reminds Asaph that sin does lead to consequences, both in this life and the next. He confesses his sins of bitterness and resolves to trust God more deeply.
