Psalm 73 (NIV)
A psalm of Asaph.
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
12 This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
The word “
” is a useful but elastic term.
It is useful because it describes something that is
.
But it is
because it can be used flexibly in many different ways.
Big Idea: God is good (v. 1).
He is good in the sense that he acts in ways that are worthy of
.
He is good to his
.
- God
“God saw that the light was good….” —Genesis 1:4
“God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.” —Genesis 1:10
“The land produced vegetation…. And God saw that it was good.” —Genesis 1:12
“God made two great lights…. And God saw that it was good.” —Genesis 1:16, 18c
“And God saw that it [his creation of living creatures] was good.” —Genesis 1:21c
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” —Genesis 1:31 - God’s goodness
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” —Psalm 145:9
“We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” —Acts 14:15c-17
- God’s goodness is revealed by how he
“27 All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. 28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. 29 When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. 30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.” —Psalm 104:27-30
He is good to his
.
“…your Father in heaven…. causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” —Matthew 5:45
He is good to his
.
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” —Nahum 1:7
“11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” —Matthew 7:11
God’s goodness calls us to respond
to him.
Change your mind and have
in Jesus because God is good.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” —Psalm 34:8
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” —Romans 2:4-6
Give
to God for the goodness he has poured into your life.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever…. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” —Psalm 118:1, 29
Give
to God for his goodness.
“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts…. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made…. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” —Psalm 145:7-9, 21
God for what you want and need in prayer because he is good.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” —Matthew 7:7-10
Trust God when life is
because he is good.
- Sometimes the pain of life is due to God’s good
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever…. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.” —Psalm 118:1, 18
- Sometimes the pain of life gives us the wrong
in Christ because he is good.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” —1 Peter 2:1-3
good to others just as God has been good to us.
“43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” —Matthew 5:43-45