Psalm 73 Verse Mapping (Verses 11-12)

 

"Any they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most Hight?"

Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches."

Psalm 73:11-12

DESIGN:

"They say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?"  Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth." (NASB)

"They say "How does God know?  Is there knowledge [of us] with the Most High?"  Behold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are at ease [ in the world]; they have increased in wealth." (AMP) 

DEVELOPMENT:

Verse 11:

yada - to know, to ascertain by seeing

deah - knowledge

FIND:

Psalm 94:7 - "and they say, "The LORD does not see; and the God of Jacob does not perceive." 

Job 22:13-14 - "But you say, 'What does God know?  Can he judge through the deep darkness?  Thick clouds veil him, so that he does not see, and he walks on the vault of heaven'."

Psalm 52:7 - "See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in teh abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction."

Psalm 62:10 - "Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them."

MANKIND:

As men continue in wickedness they don't think that God is even aware or cares what they do.  They deny God more and more.  Proverbs 30:9 warns about this very thing.  The prayer of this Proverb is to avoid such thinking;  that we won't be "full and deny you and say "Who is the LORD?"  These wicked men rely on their riches.  Their money and wickedness have become their idols. 

GOD:

God is always aware.  God knows, sees, and hears all that we do.  He may hold off judgement for a time but He is not unaware.  He knows the evil.  He sees evil, boastful hearts that deny Him and He has full knowledge of every thought and deed.

ASK/APPLICATION:

Our actions and thoughts are never hid from God. As much as we lean on being fully known for comfort, that very truth is both humbling and; when we sin, can be embarrassing.  But rather than living in shame; as believers, we can rejoice that while we are fully known we are also fully loved.  We must never live in the space of thinking we can "get away" with sin.  We will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).  However, there is also mercy and forgiveness when we repent (1 John 1:9).  So repent and "sow to the Spirit" to "reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:8).  While the wicked may have earthly riches and treasures those things will not last.  We must keep our hearts pure from being envious of them and focused on eternity remembering to lay up our treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

PRAY:

Dear Father, I praise you and thank you that you know all.  God this is humbling when I think of how often I fail but thank you that while I am fully known I am also fully loved by You.  God help me to be aware of sinful thoughts and attitudes that creep in, help me to be quick to confess those, turn from that thinking and refocus on the truths in Your Word.  God help me to never put my trust in earthly prosperity or riches but to remember that true treasure is found in You.  I praise and thank you for the greatest treasure...the relationship with You granted to me through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  Thank you for His sacrifice, and resurrection.  Thank you that salvation is through grace and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  I praise you for all this and ask that You would keep my focus on You as I go throughout my day.  Amen.