Psa 73-75 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 73:1-75:10: 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 ). Summary for Ps 73:1-28: 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 in God (73:17-26 ). His disturbing doubts stir a greater passion for truth. He knows that he can trust God and that God will rescue him (73:27-28 ). 73:title Asaph was a Levitical singer appointed by David (1 Chr 6:39 ); his descendants were singers and instrumentalists (1 Chr 15:16-17 ). Many of the psalms of Asaph (Pss 50 , 73–83 ) were probably written by Asaph’s descendants at a later time in Israel’s history (e.g., Ps 74 ). 73:1 People whose hearts are pure are renewed by God’s Spirit (51:10 ), commit themselves to lives of godliness, keep away from anything that is sinful, and enjoy God’s presence (see 24:3-4 ).

Summary for Ps 73:1-75:10: Pss 73–75 ^a The apparent prosperity of the wicked (Ps 73 ^b) and God’s apparent rejection of his people (Ps 74 ^c) raise questions about his justice. God is sovereign over the whole world, and he determines the time for judgment (Ps 75 ^d).
Summary for Ps 73:1-28: Ps 73 ^e 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 ^f). Nearly overcome by his doubts (73:13-16 ^g), the psalmist meets the Lord in the sanctuary and gains a perspective that stretches beyond his life and renews his confidence in God (73:17-26 ^h). His disturbing doubts stir a greater passion for truth. He knows that he can trust God and that God will rescue him (73:27-28 ⁱ).
73:title ^j Asaph was a Levitical singer appointed by David (1 Chr 6:39 ^k); his descendants were singers and instrumentalists (1 Chr 15:16-17 ^l). Many of the psalms of Asaph (Pss 50 ^m, 73–83 ⁿ) were probably written by Asaph’s descendants at a later time in Israel’s history (e.g., Ps 74 ^o).
73:1 ^p People whose hearts are pure are renewed by God’s Spirit (51:10 ^q), commit themselves to lives of godliness, keep away from anything that is sinful, and enjoy God’s presence (see 24:3-4 ^r).

‏ Psalms 74

Summary for Ps 74:1-23: Ps 74 ^s The psalmist laments the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (586 BC) with vivid imagery, questions, fresh memories, and a direct appeal for the Lord to act (74:19-23 ^t).
Summary for Ps 74:1-2: 74:1-2 ^u In the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall, it seemed that God had forgotten his special covenant relationship with his people. 74:1 ^v God rejected his people because their sin aroused his anger (106:34-46 ^w).

• Like a tender shepherd, God cares for his people, the sheep of his pasture (Pss 23 ^x; 100:3 ^y).
74:2 ^z The Lord chose and redeemed Israel from Egypt in the Exodus (cp. Exod 15:13 ^aa).

• your own special possession: This is another expression for “your people” (Pss 28:9 ^ab; 78:62 ^ac; 94:14 ^ad; 106:40 ^ae).
Summary for Ps 74:3-8: 74:3-8 ^af Like a guide, the psalmist points out to the Lord what took place during the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
74:12 ^ag my king from ages past: The psalmist acknowledges God’s power and his historical bond with Israel (5:2 ^ah; 44:4 ^ai; 84:3 ^aj).
74:14 ^ak Leviathan: See 104:26 ^al; Job 3:8 ^am; 41:1 ^an, 12 ^ao, 22 ^ap, 31 ^aq; Isa 27:1 ^ar. Here, the creature’s multiple heads suggest a mythical monster.
74:15 ^as springs and streams to gush forth: God provided water in the desert for his people (see 68:8-9 ^at; Exod 17:6 ^au); he dried up the Red Sea (Exod 14:21 ^av) and the Jordan River (Josh 3:17 ^aw).
Summary for Ps 74:19-23: 74:19-23 ^ax The poet urges God to act.

‏ Psalms 75

Summary for Ps 75:1-10: Ps 75 ^ay This hymn of thanksgiving includes two direct messages from God that provide assurance of his justice (75:2-3 ^az, 10 ^ba). The Lord rebukes arrogant people who defy him, promising to forcibly humble them (75:4-8 ^bb). Together, the community and the psalmist respond with thanksgiving for God’s character (75:1 ^bc, 9 ^bd).
Summary for Ps 75:2-8: 75:2-8 ^be The Lord will bring justice in his own time.
Summary for Ps 75:4-5: 75:4-5 ^bf The wicked arrogantly defy the heavens—the dwelling place of God. Through their boasting they insist that they are wiser than God.
75:6 ^bg No creature has the right to rebel against its Creator.
Summary for Ps 75:7-8: 75:7-8 ^bh The Lord alone is the Judge, with the power to exalt and humble (see 1 Sam 2:7 ^bi; Luke 1:52 ^bj).