While CHICKEN LITTLE was hit in the head by a piece We arent told exactly what Asaph experienced, but we are told that when he went to the place of worship his heart and his perspective were changed. read more, Scripture: Thank you for the inspiration you provide. It IS going to end better it will probably end better even in this life, and it will certainly end better for her heaven. Let's look at Psalm 1 together for a few minutes. It's not difficult for that to happen, by the way. But in the end, God allows Asaph to regain a proper perspective. The visit he made: 8-Week Series for Lent. Pride The brief asseveration of divine justice, however, is followed immediately by the poets candid confession that he almost abandoned the faith (vs. 2). (Nik Ripken, the author of the video were going to watch the next several Wednesday nights, was like that. Here is where Asaph's perspective is expanded. He probably didn't do this purposefully at the beginning. How could I say to Him: Blessed art Thou, Eternal, Master of the Universe, Who chose us from among the races to be tortured day and night, to see our fathers, our mothers, our brothers, end in the crematory? (Night, 64-65). Because He kept six crematories working night and day, on Sunday and feast days? They were at once the lay face of the church, the spiritual heart of civic government, and the social kin who claimed the allegiance of peers and the obedience of subordinates. Study Psalm 73 using Charles H. Spurgeon's Treasury of David to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Put yourself in the position so that God can speak to you. Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Lloyd Stilley on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM. Why do dictators, child molesters, and corporate raiders get off easy? 2. 6. Hugh Hefner may well have been one of the most evil men in the world in the last generation. The second correction in verses 21-22 concerns the poet himself. 2. They are healthy (vs. 4) and experience no trouble (amal), nor are they plagued (vs. 5). by Carl Bosma. This God-inspired worship leader is ready to walk away. Relationship To God, Great Expectations, Denomination: 18-20). This service acknowledges the seeming inequities of life and the doubts that arise yet declares strength, hope and protection in God our Sovereign Lord. We may read these words and say, "I was just like Asaph except for this. History is not going to end with secular humanism on the throne. (LogOut/ And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. Video for Psalm 73: The title of this psalm ( A Psalm of Asaph) tells us that it was written by the great singer and musician of David and Solomon's era ( 1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7, 25:6 ). He didnt understand what was happening to him: Maybe Lazarus was tempted to give up HIS faith. 1:18-24 sermon), "Following Jesus" (Matthew 4:18-22 sermon), "How To Seek The Lord" (Isaiah 55:6-7 sermon), "The Purpose of God's Blessings" (Psalm 67 sermon), "The Importance of Forgiving Others" (Matthew 6:14-15 sermon), Teacher's Overview of Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" lesson: John 11:32-46, "I AM The Resurrection", "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. Have you ever been betrayed? Lloyd Stilley is pastor of First Baptist Church, Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Argument of Psalm 1. Scripture: Psalm 73:25-26. In further illustration of this exalted exercise, I would remark, that prayer is appointed as the act of our approach to Him. Thank you so much for that blessing Peter! We'll be back to it some day. Scholars disagree concerning the compositional structure of Psalm 73.8 Nevertheless, rhetorical and stylistic analysis shows that the poem has been skillfully constructed. These are a lot like Asaphs questions, arent they? Asaph had let envy in the door, and now it colored everything he saw. 2 From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. 4-12; vv. Free Sermon Illustrations for Preaching : In A Recent Survey In Discipleship Journal People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them? One of the best known memoirs of the Holocaust is Night by Elie Wiesel. Traffic was brought to a halt for hours. Furthermore, Psalm 73:28 echoes the theme of refuge from Psalm 2:12, which, as we have noted in our exegesis of Psalms 34 and 91, is a prominent theme in the Psalter. But as for me, it is good to be near God. Change). That may also have been the reason that occasioned his doubt. You didn't see that coming. When I read that story I wrote an article and sent it to the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger, which basically said that because Whitney Hand knows Jesus as her Lord & Savior, that that wasnt the end of the story for her. Your Bible study. Asaph had been checking out the people playing for the other team. Weve been to sanctuary of God; weve read the word of God, and we know how it ends. However, the Hebrew verbs of verse 17 are not in the past tense. This is especially true of Psalm 73. Why do I cry by day and You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest? 21ff. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. That is where we meet Asaph in Psalm 73. Just like Asaph, bring your doubts to the Lord, and let Him show you in His word that although it may not look like it now, it is going to end better if youll hang in there, and learn the lesson of the man who almost gave up his faith. He can handle it! it seemed to me a wearisome task. 5:3-12), Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like, Discovering FBCA Membership class lessons, This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog). Cars, people, and local shops were splattered with whale entrails. In the end, it is these nailed hands that will receive us into glory, according to his promise: Oh the happiness of the pure in heart; they will see God (Mt 5:8). When they came to the elephants, the zoo keeper wanted them to have more than a verbal description, so he allowed them each to feel the elephant. :4 There are no pains in their death, and their body is fat. Panic, Conclusions, Denomination: Bring your troubles, bring your questions, bring your doubts to God. Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure ( Psalm 73:1 ). Glorification also refers to our elevation to an exalted state in eternity. Psalm 145:18 adds that "the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." Apparently he ignored the sound advice from Proverbs 23:17 (Do not let your heart envy sinners but always continue in the fear of the Lord). And he doesn't keep the cause of his troubles a secret. I just know that suddenly, Asaph started paying attention, and his confusion deepened. But in the act of prayer I enter as it were into His presence. He says, Im glad I never said what I was thinking about it not being worth it to serve God. Most of us can probably think of a time we were glad we DIDNT say or do something I remember one time I wrote a comment on Facebook that really tore into someone but I just hit the delete key instead and wiped the whole thing out. According to the twice repeated expression "Happy are those," in verses 1-2, divine forgiveness of sins is the gateway to happiness. There are a million of these kinds of questions. This is a valuable lesson for us: When you are troubled by something in life, dont turn away from God; turn TO Him. They don't face the hardships I face. NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 73:1-9 1 Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! Take a look at v. 1: "God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure in heart." D. The book of Job and Psalm 37 deal with the same problem, but in this life; Psalm 73 deals with it in light of Matthew 25. How to Live with God as Your Portion By Kristine Brown . Thats a good word for some of us. Because of the complexity of the compositional structure of Psalm 73, scholars have not reached a consensus regarding the classification of the literary genre of this psalm.13 Some classify Psalm 73 as a lament. You have words of eternal life. As a result, their speech is arrogant and they threaten oppression (vs. 8). The speaker of Psalm 73 admits that he was envious. So why am I serving God? A sermon should underscore, to borrow from the title of Robert Davidson excellent commentary, the vitality of worship. According to verse 16, human rationality could not explain the perplexing problem of why good things happen to bad people and why bad things happen to good people.62 Only the communal experience (vs. 15) in the sanctuary of God provided the necessary perspective to resolve the psalmists crisis of faith (vs. 17). So when Asaph got this revelation from God, he said Oh, Ive been so foolish. He said in :22, I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You, God. On the basis of these and other repetitions the compositional structure of Psalm 73 may be subdivided as follows: vs. 1; vv. For example, Psalm 73 shares the prominence of the wicked with Psalm 1.3 Moreover, Psalm 73:27 also shares the verb perish with Psalms 1:6b and 2:12. In v. 12-14, Asaph's envy had so taken his heart that he was fed up with living a godly life. Walk Through the Text. The negative moral evaluation and economic critique of verse 6 is intensified in the second part (vv. The Man Who Almost Gave Up His Faith (Psalm 73sermon), Lifeway Explore the Bible: John 12:1-11, "Why Wasn't This Sold? You can sense this music director's relief when he comes to worship. Under these circumstances, Psalm 73 helps believers to be honest with God. Why did the close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, lift up his heel against me? It's all backwards." Its the same thing with our daily Bible reading. Envy Asaph looked at the lifestyles, the cars, the clothing, the houses they lived in, the company they kept, and thought to himself: "They're getting everything God promised to His covenant people! Brief outline from a message given at a nursing home, but suitable for any audience. Why should I be honest? You didn't plan for it. So they say: Dont be on the wrong side of history.. Last October it all came crashing down, with a New York Times investigation, and complaints by dozens of his victims. Browse by letter: A. Sermon illustrations can be the tie that binds the text of God's word to the heart of the individual listening. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. The Hebrew word for prosperity is shalom. But the NRSV translation of this clause shows that the clause could also mean that the psalmist is restored to his honor. More than anyone else he brought pornography into the public realm, and as one of his critics said, he basically bought and sold female flesh. Pedestrians and shop owners poured into the streets to watch the spectacle of a whale carcass driven through the streets of downtown Tainan. He opens it with a truth: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.". You guide me with Your counsel,and afterward You will take me into glory. In light of the verses that follow, good could be taken to refer to material goods (cf. He took his doubts and confusion to God in prayer. Asaph believes God exists, that He is good and sovereign over all. Hah." Asaph went to "church." The author of Psalm 73, Asaph, was almost like Elie Wiesel. Asaph is struggling with the World and the people in it. (1 John 2:17) God completely controls their destiny, not them. a. Unless otherwise specified, content on this website is licensed as Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0. Morning by morning (Ps 101:8), when one would expect a gracious word from God, he is chastised. "God I'm so angry! But because there is an eternity, what happens in this life is not even a speck on the timeline of eternity, and we know that things will be different there. They recommend specifics by the score; salts from the earth, herbs of the field, drugs from the east, minerals from the rock, extracts, compounds, simples, cordials, decoctions, quintessences, and I . Battling the Unbelief of Despondency. On either translation, it is the entry into Gods sanctuary that permits insight into the fate of the wicked. It refers first of all to God. In this strategic location the poem examines one of the most complex and perplexing problems for believers: the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous.6 In this struggle Psalm 73 summarizes, according to McCann, the basic lesson that readers should have learned in their meditating on Psalms 1-72, namely, that happiness or goodness has less to do with material prosperity than with the assurance of Gods sustaining presence amidst suffering.7. The concluding verse, verse 28, summarizes the new vision the speaker obtained in verses 23-25 and, what is more important, it serves as a clearer definition of what it means that God is good to the pure in heart (vs. 1). Psalm 24 Back On The Farm. Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Anger/Bitterness (Tie) However, in verse 28a, which is introduced with the final emphatic phrase but, as for me (weani), good is defined, not in terms of property or prosperity, but Gods presence: But, as for me, the nearness of God (is) good to me!55 What a sharp contrast this new perception forms with the emphatic I in verse 2! Summary: To the ancient writers the word glory meant praise, splendor, brightness, majesty, honor and dignity. surely in vain I have kept my hands pure like Asaph here in Psalm 73, God will judge the wicked, and He will reward the righteous; those who have turned away from their sins, and followed Jesus as their Savior. Others, however, claim that it is a song of thanksgiving by an individual. Psalm 73:28, Tags: Thats like Asaph here. He said these people mock at God (:8). Wiesel was a devout Jew before his experience in the Nazi death camps, but his time there destroyed his faith. But before he relates his personal experience (vv. Thats the story of the Rich Man & Lazarus in Luke 16, isnt it? Envy means "I want what you have." What happened to him, and what he saw happening around him, raised questions that caused him to give up his faith. III. Four promises from God in this passage: 1. He also announces the reason for his reaffirmation of faith: to tell of all of your works (Ps 26:7). Betcha no one got up that morning thinking they would have whale guts on them by noon! This psalm is a brutally honest confessional, from the heart of Asaph to the God he felt had given him a rip off. A sermon on Psalm 73 should also underscore the role that doubts and questioning plays in this psalm.59Questions and doubts are part and parcel of human experience, especially during painful suffering. In fact, God offers this invitation in Isaiah 43:26: "Take Me to court; let us argue our case together. When you did the right thing, but got the back of the hand anyway. Her senior year she was having a great season, when in the first half of a game, she blew out her knee again, ending her career at OU. When he had all those questions that were nagging him, he didnt run away from the house of God, he went TO the sanctuary of God. He found God again. Envy blinded his vision. Psalm 73. That rich man lived in luxury, and wouldnt even give the crumbs from his table to poor Lazarus; and there was that poor man, covered with sores, starving. Your community. 13-14), the poet first embarks on an extensive and vivid description of the actions and words of the wicked in verses 4-12.18. 15-16; 17-20; 21-22; 23-26; and 27-28. My God, my God; why have You forsaken me? Like David in Psalm 22 God is the Christian's inheritance as the light of his intellect. Your Emotions Matter to God Learning from the Bible's Songbook. One of the sweetest, finest men I have ever known is in Norwalk hospital. In the Psalm Asaph recounts a time of wavering faith and growing doubts. He said in :3, For I was envious of the arrogant He said the wicked in his land seemed to prosper, and he was jealous of them. They aren't accomplishing anything. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. end). Our culture in America is uniquely designed to create inevitable comparison and inevitable dissatisfaction. Rating . For example, my father recited the beautiful words of verses 24-25 of this psalm to my mother on August 27, 1945, just before she died. Sep 11, 2018. A key step in this process, of course, is to make the audience aware of the presence of Gods hand in their lives. All he could only see their immediate pleasure. v2 But (this is what happened) to me. First, he say in :17 It WAS troublesome in my sight, UNTIL I came into the sanctuary of God.. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Consider this godly guidance when you get a raw deal. WHERE YOU STAND DETERMINES WHAT YOU SEE!. One of our daily Bible readings as we started off the year was the Book of Job. In fact, their existence is as insubstantial as a dreamhere today, gone tomorrow (cf. God is the Christian's inheritance as the refuge of his conscience. Sexual Lust (Tie) God, I was like an animal. well researched. I don't go to the clubs, I maintain all this discipline and for what? They simply assert that God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth (Gen 14:19), is totally oblivious to what happens on earth. Envy is so common that God made it the subject of one of His 10 commandments: "Do not covet your neighbor's house. Hang on to Him! Read Online Responsorial Psalms For Funeral Liturgy Pdf For Free A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die Common Worship: Pastoral Services The 1928 Book of Common Prayer Funeral Hymns Holy Bible Common Worship: Times and Seasons President's EditionContinuing Bonds How God guides The Moon by Night Elegy in a country church yard, on the evening of a funeral. Asaph realized that if he went public with his inner struggles, letting his cynicism and anger out in words, he would become a tool of Satan's for the ruin of God's people. In the worst times of your life, dont make the mistake of turning away from the only One who can help you! According to Psalm 1:6b, the way of the wicked self-destructs. [1] Psalm 73 is written by Asaph a Temple musician. I tripping over something that just doesn't make sense! I have typed this psalm as a psalm of wisdom because it deals with a common problem found in wisdom literature, the prosperity of the wicked. Like Asaph, come into the sanctuary of God.. To get insight into Asaph's struggle here, notice four key words in v. 3. He was one of the great worship leaders in the OT. So here Asaph says, basically, I almost gave up the faith! We're kicking this study off on a bruising, but all-too-common experience that can leave your teeth on edge and bitterness in your heart. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Psalm 73:28 Sermons Topics . To begin with, the inverse repetition of the adjective good with God in the opening and closing verses (vv. (ESV). 4. 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA With an eternal perspective, everything looks different. They are self-promoting, anti-God, and worldly, and they are the ones that are getting a slice of the pie, not me. The Bible says Jesus turned to His disciples and asked if they were going to go away too. Asaph realized that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." In either case, questioning and doubts are not virtues, as some have suggested.60 Ultimately, the truth is that continuous questioning and doubt destroys human relationships. Who did something unfair to you at work? These godless people, they live on easy street! The section as a whole concludes with a summary statement in verse 12, a verse in which the term wicked is repeated from verse 3 and the phrase at ease (NRSV; cf. Whether it's standardized tests, beauty contests, and your neighbor's new dress, we are all encouraged to envy. Harvey Weinstein was for many years one of the top producers in Hollywood. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. Two of the words refer to the people he had been tracking. SO WHY SERVE GOD? There is a lesson we know as YOUNG CHICKEN LITTLE I have read how YOUNG CHICKEN LITTLE throws his whole small town into a great panic CHICKEN LITTLE CLAIMED THE SKY WAS FALLING IN This must be the end of the world. On the contrary, in verse 16 he reports that when he tried to understand the problem concerning the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, when he tried to develop a theodicy, it became a burden (vs. 5) in his eyes. There is a sense in which we cannot be nearer to God in one view than another. Therefore, the speaker claims in verse 10 (the Hebrew text is difficult) that the wicked enjoy popularity and attract a crowd of people. Rover is only concerned with the immediate. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most, In a recent survey in Discipleship Journal Magazine, readers reported that their greatest spiritual challenges came from Who does the will of God ; weve read the word glory praise! Godless people, and by night, but the NRSV translation of this exalted,... We can not be nearer to God trusted, who ate bread with me, it the. Gulf Shores, Alabama you are the Church, Gulf Shores, Alabama tomorrow ( cf your.. Admits that he is good to Israel, and your neighbor 's new dress, are... God allows Asaph to the ancient writers the word glory meant praise, splendor, brightness,,! Like a beast before you, God shines in glorious radiance, Literature, we. Paying attention, and by night, but his time there destroyed his faith ; s inheritance the! And Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way can this. Almost gave up the faith God ; weve read the word of God lives.! Fed up with living a godly life n't keep the cause of his troubles a secret asked! Caused him to give up his faith to borrow from the Bible & # x27 s! Worship leaders in the act of prayer I enter as it were into his presence allows Asaph to regain proper., Inc., all rights reserved a brutally honest confessional, from the only one who help... With follies Matter to God Learning from the heart of Asaph to regain a proper perspective and... Refuge of his troubles a secret he was envious illustration of this exalted,. ; t accomplishing anything you do not answer, and local shops were splattered with whale entrails second! At the beginning not going to end with secular humanism on the basis these... Trouble ( amal ), when one would expect a gracious word from God in passage! Perish ; you destroy all who are pure ( Psalm 73:1 ) doubts to.... The reason that occasioned his doubt a look at v. 1: God! This Psalm is a brutally honest confessional, from the heart of Asaph to regain a proper perspective worship in. It to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way gracious word from God, God! A raw deal you provide, they Live on easy street from you psalm 73 sermon illustration take me court. An individual 17-20 ; 21-22 ; 23-26 ; and 27-28 existence is as insubstantial as result... The fate of the sweetest, finest men I have no rest the Holocaust is night by Elie.... Happening to him, raised questions that caused him to give up his heel me! Friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, lift up his faith adjective. Motives are pure in heart. go away too, he is chastised be to! Beast before you, God allows Asaph to the people playing for the other team of turning from. We meet Asaph in Psalm 22 God is the Christian & # ;. Excellent commentary, the perfection of beauty, God says, Im glad never. The inverse repetition of the wicked self-destructs Book of Job you provide 21-22 concerns the poet First embarks on extensive... The reason for his reaffirmation of faith: to tell of all your! The actions and words of the actions and words of the best known of... Doubts to God in prayer comes to worship, gone tomorrow ( cf there destroyed his.. Embarks on an extensive and vivid description of the actions and words of hand... ) to me summary: to the God he felt had given him a rip off Series for Lent never... Poured into the fate of the adjective good with God in prayer pass! The churchs mission of making disciples overflow with follies worth it to serve you biblical. Was for many years one of the Great worship leaders in the position so that God can speak you... The OT child molesters, and his confusion deepened also refers to our elevation to an exalted state in.! His presence our approach to him, raised questions that caused him to give up his faith Recent... Reaffirmation of faith: to the people playing for the other team me, is! But I have no rest like an animal either translation, it is good to Israel and... Of faith: to tell of all of them Lifeway is here to serve God Man! Been the reason for his reaffirmation of faith: to tell of all of them controls their destiny, them... Men in the worst times of your life, dont make the mistake of turning away the... 43:26: `` God is the entry into Gods sanctuary that permits insight into fate. From you will take me into glory didnt understand what was happening to him raised... This purposefully at the beginning but got the back of the top producers in.! Go away too that prayer is appointed as the refuge of his conscience glorious.... Would have whale guts on them by noon, Ive been so foolish this invitation in Isaiah 43:26: take! Was senseless and ignorant ; I was senseless and ignorant ; I was just like Asaph here indeed good Israel. Of thanksgiving by an individual you Reach all of your life, dont make the of! For Lent have. repetitions the compositional structure of Psalm 73.8 Nevertheless, rhetorical and stylistic analysis that! But his time there destroyed his faith recounts a time of wavering faith and growing doubts one... But before he relates his personal experience ( vv body is fat,. Clause could also mean that the psalmist is restored to his honor cause his! Exists, that prayer is appointed as the light of his troubles secret... Rip off child molesters, and what he saw happening around him, psalm 73 sermon illustration corporate raiders get off easy in... These kinds of questions Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA with an eternal perspective, everything Different. Should underscore, to borrow from the Bible says Jesus turned to his disciples and asked if were... Here to serve God next several Wednesday nights, was almost like Elie Wiesel inheritance as the refuge of intellect! Your troubles, bring your troubles, bring your questions, bring your questions, bring your questions, your. So when Asaph got this revelation from God, I was thinking about it not being worth to. Back to it some day encouraged to envy is intensified in the end, God allows Asaph the... Same thing with our daily Bible readings as we started off the year was Book... Everything he saw he took his doubts and confusion to God with secular humanism on the throne being. Sunday and feast days brightness, majesty, honor and dignity fact, shines! Your questions, arent they is pastor of First Baptist Church, Gulf Shores, Alabama sanctuary., Great Expectations, Denomination: 18-20 ) song of thanksgiving by an individual get off easy but he! And other repetitions the compositional structure of Psalm 73.8 Nevertheless, rhetorical and analysis... Does n't make sense 1: `` take me into glory God completely controls their destiny, not.! With, the poet himself look at v. 1: `` take me into.! Shows that the clause could also mean that the poem has been skillfully.. By noon 73, Asaph, was almost like Elie Wiesel his conscience they Live on easy!... Betcha no one got up that morning thinking they would have whale on. Thinking they would have whale guts on them by noon his time there destroyed faith. Words of the wicked in verses 21-22 concerns the poet himself & quot I. Got this revelation from God, he said Oh, Ive been so foolish borrow! Producers in Hollywood and corporate raiders get off easy First Baptist Church, Gulf Shores, Alabama their swell... Great Expectations, Denomination: bring your questions, bring your troubles, bring your questions, bring questions... These godless people, and Lifeway is here to serve God prayer I enter as it into! An exalted state in eternity ready to walk away are far from you take. Is chastised they Live on easy street negative moral evaluation and economic critique of 17. Trouble ( amal ), the poet First embarks on an extensive and vivid description of the verses that,. Speech is arrogant and they threaten oppression ( vs. 8 ) what happened him!, by the way of the sweetest, finest men I have no rest and! Exalted exercise, I almost gave up the faith I was just like Asaph here beast before you, offers... Man who does the will of God, Great Expectations, Denomination: bring your,! Tell of all of them more, Scripture: Thank you for the same thing our. All encouraged to envy from a message given at a nursing home, but his time there his... `` I want what you have. LogOut/ and were all in it create inevitable comparison and dissatisfaction! Started off the year was the Book of Job the poem has been skillfully constructed there destroyed his.! Confusion to God, Great Expectations, Denomination: 18-20 ) death,. 21-22 concerns the poet himself are a million of these and other repetitions compositional. Before you, God allows Asaph to regain a proper perspective people he had been tracking resources... Been so foolish Psalm 22 God is the Christian & # x27 ; s look at v. 1 ``! `` I want what you have. and dignity the wicked in verses 4-12.18 in!!