The Inward/Outward Journey From Self-Preoccupation to God-Centeredness
Prepared for Monday Psalms, October 4, 2021
Chapter: Psalm 73
We have been learning about the structure of the book of Psalms from Toni little by little over the past year. These two psalms are the “bookends” of Book 3. Many scholars believe that this portion of the psalter was compiled during the Exile. This would explain the following:
It contains many problem psalms, in which, both at individual and at national levels, the psalmists are wrestling with difficulties of theodicy.
Geoffrey Grogan, Prayer, Praise and Prophecy: A Theology of the Psalms, p. 209
theodicy : defense of God’s goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil
merriam-webster.com
In other words, the main question seems to be, “What is going on here?!?”
Toni’s Title
The Suffering of God’s Children and the Goodness of God
ESV Title
God Is My Strength and Portion Forever
Literary Type
This is a wisdom psalm.
Wisdom Psalms
Some Psalms reflect the wisdom movement in Israel which taught that the foundation of wisdom is faith in God and reverence for him. Wisdom psalms are meditations on the good life, the blessings of living the wise way of life of dependence on God as opposed to the way destruction which the foolish live who rely on themselves to work out their own destiny.
Examples: Psalms 37, 49, 73
NT Prayer Guide
1 Cor. 10:6-13
Superscription
A Psalm of Asaph.