The Prosperity of the Wicked in Psalm 73
Psalm 73 grapples with the perplexing issue of the prosperity of the wicked, a theme that challenges the psalmist's understanding of divine justice [6]. The psalm opens with the psalmist's confession of envy when observing the apparent ease and success of those who disregard God [1, 7].
The psalmist states, "For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:3, ESV) [1]. This sentiment introduces the central tension of the psalm: the seeming contradiction between God's goodness to the righteous and the observable reality of the wicked flourishing [6]. The psalmist notes that the wicked are "always at ease" and "increase in riches" [2]. Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi) interprets Psalm 73:12, "Behold, these are the wicked," to mean that despite their transgression of God's Torah, they remain tranquil and grow in power and wealth [8].
This observation of the wicked's prosperity leads the psalmist to question the value of his own righteousness, nearly causing him to stumble from the path of wisdom and godliness [7]. The "happiness of the wicked" is often characterized by their worldly success, wealth, power, and popular acclaim [4]. They may derive pleasure from gluttony, drunkenness, and successful oppression [4]. This worldly prosperity is frequently linked to self-delusion, where the wicked believe their ways are right, that they are pure, or that they are above adversity [3].
However, the biblical perspective consistently frames the prosperity of the wicked as temporary and ultimately vain [4, 9]. While they may "spring as the grass" and "flourish" for a time, their flourishing is compared to grass, which is weak, unstable, and of short duration [12]. John Gill notes that the wicked may flourish in health and wealth, while the righteous suffer [12]. Yet, this apparent success is limited to this life and is uncertain [4]. The Tyndale House commentary on Psalm 92:7 emphasizes that even when the ungodly seem to thrive, "they have no future" [10]. Their prosperity is short-lived, and their end is destruction [9, 10].
The afflictions of the wicked, though sometimes delayed, are often sudden and judicially sent by God [5]. These afflictions serve as examples to others, demonstrating God's ultimate judgment [5]. In contrast to the wicked, the godly are promised a secure future and enduring blessings, inheriting the land and experiencing lasting prosperity [11]. The psalmist's struggle in Psalm 73 is resolved when he enters the sanctuary and gains a divine perspective, realizing that God is sovereign and will determine the time for judgment, renewing his confidence in God's justice [6].
Sources
- Psalms “For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. -- Psalms 73:3”
- Psalms “Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. -- Psalms 73:12”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Delusion — A characteristic of the wicked -- Ps 49:18. Prosperity frequently leads to -- Ps 30:6; Ho 12:8; Lu 12:17-19. Obstinate sinners often given up to -- Ps 81:11,12; Ho 4:17; 2Th 2:10,11. Exhibited in thinking that Our own ways are right. -- Pr 14:12. We should adhere to established wicked practices. -- Jer 44:17. We are pure. -- Pr 30:12. We are better than others. -- Lu 18:11. We are rich in spiritual things. -- Re 3:17. We may have peace while in sin. -- De 29:19. We are above adversity. -- Ps 10:6. Gifts entitle us to heaven. -- Mt 7:21,22. Privileges ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of the Wicked, The — Is limited to this life -- Ps 17:14; Lu 16:25. Is short -- Job 20:5. Is uncertain -- Lu 12:20; Jas 4:13,14. Is vain -- Ec 2:1; 7:6. Is derived from Their wealth. -- Job 21:13; Ps 52:7. Their power. -- Job 21:7; Ps 37:35. Their worldly prosperity. -- Ps 17:14; 73:3,4,7. Popular applause. -- Ac 12:22. Gluttony. -- Isa 22:13; Hab 1:16. Drunkenness. -- Isa 5:11; 56:12. Vain pleasure. -- Job 21:12; Isa 5:12. Successful oppression. -- Hab 1:15; Jas 5:6. Marred by jealousy -- Es 5:13. Often interrupted by judgments -- Nu 11:33; Job 15:21; Ps 7”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions of the Wicked, The — God is glorified in -- Ex 14:4; Eze 38:22,23. God holds in derision -- Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26,27. Are multiplied -- De 31:17; Job 20:12-18; Ps 32:10. Are continual -- Job 15:20; Ec 2:23; Isa 32:10. Are often sudden -- Ps 73:10; Pr 6:15; Isa 30:13; Re 18:10. Are often judicially sent -- Job 21:17; Ps 107:17; Jer 30:15. Are for examples to others -- Ps 64:7-9; Zep 3:6,7; 1Co 10:5-11; 2Pe 2:6. Are ineffectual of themselves, for their conversion -- Ex 9:30; Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30; Hag 2:17. Their persecution of saints, a cause of -- De 30:7; Ps 55”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 73:1: Pss 73–75 The apparent prosperity of the wicked (Ps 73) and God’s apparent rejection of his people (Ps 74) raise questions about his justice. God is sovereign over the whole world, and he determines the time for judgment (Ps 75). Ps 73 This wisdom psalm examines the injustice of the prosperity of the wicked. The psalmist affirms that God is good to the godly but his own experience differs (73:2-12). Nearly overcome by his doubts (73:13-16), the psalmist meets the Lord in the sanctuary and gains a perspective that stretches beyond his life and renews his confidence”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 73:2: 73:2-3 The poet sees the prosperity of the wicked as unfair (see 72:7) and resents it. • The psalmist’s feet were slipping from the way of wisdom and godliness (see 17:5; 37:31), but God kept him from falling off the trail entirely (38:16; 66:9; 94:18; 121:3). • when I saw them prosper: Cp. 72:3, 7.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 73:12: Behold these are wicked They [are wicked] and transgress His Torah; yet they are tranquil in the world and increase power and wealth.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 23:17: (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 92:7: 92:7 Even when the ungodly seem to grow luxuriantly (73:3-5), they have no future (92:9; see 1:6; 90:5-6; Isa 40:6-8).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 25:13: 25:13 prosperity: See 23:6. • inherit the land: Unlike the wicked, who will perish (1:6), the godly have a secure future. In the end, God will bless them, and their blessings will endure (see 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; Isa 57:13; Matt 5:5).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 92:7: When the wicked spring as the grass,.... Out of the earth, as they do, and are of the earth earthly, and become numerous as spires of grass, and look pleasant and beautiful for a while, as that does; but, like it, weak and unstable, and of a short continuance: and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; in the health of their bodies; not being afflicted as other men, and their eyes standing out with fatness; while a Job, an upright man, is smitten with boils from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot: in wealth and riches, in which they increase often ”