Psalm 73 - Verse Mapping Study

 

Good morning,  Today starts a new blog series Verse Mapping Psalm 73.  My plan is to post twice a week covering two verses in each post. I love the Psalms.  The honesty and openness of the Psalmists have always been a comfort to me.  Our emotions;  doubts, joys, praises, hurts...none of them are too much for God and He wants us to bring it ALL to Him.  

As I mentioned last week I'll be using a method of Bible study called Verse Mapping.  There are several parts to this method and some weeks I'll be using them all while other times I'll be using only a selection of them.  So, let's dive in!

 "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, 

my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped." 

Psalm 73:1-2 (ESV)

DESIGN:

"Truly God is good to Israel, Even to such as are of a clean heart.  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped." (KJV)

"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold." (NIV)

DEVELOPMENT/ KEY WORDS, PHRASES:

Verse 1:

- AK = Surely, howbeit, certainly, truly (emphasizing what follows)

- bar = pure, clean, innocent, who are pure, choice

Verse 2: 

- natah = to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend, turn aside, turn away ** "and I was almost prostrated as to my feet", idea of falling flat on your face **

- shaphak = to pour out, pour, cast, gushed, shed, slipped ** "my steps were caused to slip" **

ACTIONS:

Written by Asaph.  Asaph was organizer and leader for the temple choirs during David and Solomon's time (see 1 Chronicles 25:1-2).  Asaph's songs were often see as being prophetic. 

Psalm is organized by dominant pronouns.

vs 1-12 = they

vs 13-17 = I

vs. 18-22 = You (God)

vs. 23-28 = mixed, You (God) and I

WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT GOD:

Asaph begins with what he knows is true; the foundation for what he believes. "Truly God is good" (tob = pleasant, agreeable, good).

FIND/CROSS REFERENCES:

There are many places where God is called good. A few of these places are:

- Psalm 100:5

- Nahum 1:7

- Psalm 34:8

- Romans 2:4 

WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT US/MANKIND:

Asaph continues in verse 2 "But as for me" - he had doubts, questions.  Asaph recognizes that he is not God; he is a man with doubts.  He had "almost" stumbled/turned away, almost prostrated (fallen flat out on the ground) he had "nearly" slipped.

APPLICATION/SUMMARY:

God is good!  We are not God we will have doubts and questions and we may be tempted to stumble and turn away or slip up because of those doubts.  Doubts and questions do not mean we have slipped or stumbled; it's how we handle those doubts and questions that determines whether we stay faithful or turn away. We must remember to start any questioning from the foundation that God is good. 

PRAYER/PRAISE:

God, I praise You that though questions may come You are a sure foundation.  You are good!  God help me, in my doubts or questions, to always start from that truth.  That You are a good God.  Keep my heart pure, clean, innocent even when I may doubt or have questions.  Amen