Dealing with Envy and Pride

(Theme: Selections from the Psalms—Faith Set to Music)

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence…But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all Your deeds.” –Psalm 73:1-3, 5, 28 (NIV. Read Psalm 73).

Continuing with the Wisdom Psalms, 73 has a stated author: “A psalm of Asaph” the note at the beginning in most translations reads. The name itself means “Yahweh made.” One Asaph lived in the time of King Hezekiah and had to relate the threats of the King of Assyria to the Hebrew king. But in the temple, Asaph was responsible for sounding the cymbal for gathering to worship. Songs, psalms and hymns were delivered to this temple official so that the people could join in singing. The Psalms that have the notation, “A Song of Asaph” are 50, 73 and 83. The title may refer to a special collections of psalms, the author of said psalms, or to the singers themselves who used the psalms in worship. At any rate, “Yahweh made,” the meaning of his (or their) name is significant, for “Yahweh made” the psalm as the Spirit of God breathed upon the person, whoever wrote this wisdom psalm. Who among us has not wondered, like the psalmist, why the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer?

This psalm deals with heavy life issues, envy and pride, The psalm also teaches us that it is all right to go to God with our weighty questions. Learning to depend on God, to go to Him regardless of our emotional framework or our questions about life, we know that answers come from Him. We may not see the answers in a mighty revelation, but in a quiet solitude and drawing close to Him, we can know His presence and His strength. What others have and do then pale to insignificance in the light of God’s grace and glory. “I have no one in heaven but You; I want nothing on earth besides You. My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever” (Ps. 73-25-26, NCV). To envy the situation of others brings only bitterness. In a well-known proverb Solomon declared, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18, KJV).

The important truth to remember is that God is with the godly, seeking person, to comfort and guide. “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Ps. 73:24, KJV). May we allow these comforting words to guide away from untoward doubts and to focus our hope upon God, where our help lies!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, May 23, 2010