Psalm 73

{1} Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. {2} But as for me, my feet were almost gone;
my steps had well nigh slipped. {3} For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

{4} For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. {5} They are not in trouble as other men;
neither are they plagued like other men. {6} Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. {7} Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

{8} They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. {9} They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. {10} Therefore his people return hither:
and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. {11} And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

{12} Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. {13} Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. {14} For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

{15} If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

{16} When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; {17} Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then understood I their end.

{18} Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. {19} How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

{20} As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

{21} Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. {22} So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. {23} Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. {24} Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

{25} Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. {26} My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. {27} For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

{28} But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

The Psalm echoes the words of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.
“I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't you choose someone else?” It is one of the oldest laments of God’s people. “Why me, Lord?”

Not so long ago there was a popular book by a Rabbi titled, “When bad things happen to good people.” It was a best seller. But the real question is asked by this psalm. "Why do good things happen to bad people?" Here again is the answer:

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh;
so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

It is not that God sleeps, but his judgment seems to at times. But the Psalmist knows of a certainty that he will awake to judgment and he will despise the very image of such.

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The Aborted Generation

The Christian Woman