Paraphrase of Psalm 73
This is probably one of my favorite passages in the whole book of Psalms! Even though this was a minor assignment for my Old Testament Survey class, I really got a kick out of this paraphrase exercise. I’m thinking of regularly doing ”paraphrasing” of different Psalms and other Scriptures now, just because it really helps you to understand the Word from your own perspective.
Psalm 73 Paraphrase
I know that God looks after those who love Him and pursue Him in all righteousness.
But I almost got sucked back into the world! It was like playing with fire. Although I was feeling the heat, I didn’t back away, and so I almost got scathed and burned; in all honesty, I was jealous of the arrogant and conceited people of this world. Even though they live and drink in sin like fish in water, it’s like they have all of the money in the world; their lives are such a breeze! They have fit and toned healthy bodies, and would never be caught dead in poor man’s clothing. I cannot deny, they are narcissistic because they are a beautiful and good-looking crowd. They don’t seem like they have any problems whatsoever like the rest of us do. I swear on my life, these are some of the most arrogant people I have ever met, wearing their pride on their heads like crowns; as if it’s something to be proud of. These fools don’t know what it’s like to really long for something, because they always get what they want! They don’t work hard for anything. I bet they don’t even sweat. You want to hear insults, gossiping, trash-talk and perverted stories? Look at these people! They walk all over everyone because they think they own the place. And you know what’s worse? These same people have the nerve to talk trash about God! So when we Christians hear all of the mess that comes out of these people’s mouths, I admit that I get confused and a little bit discouraged.
We say things like, “Uh, God knows that these people are insulting Him, right? Is the Lord deaf to these hateful words against Him, or is He just being patient with them?”
I’m frustrated looking at these rich, conceited and cocky cold-stone ballers living lives of fun and ease, while I’m over here having a hard time just getting by on $50 every two weeks!
And I ask myself, “Is this even worth it? What’s the point of living purely and following God and going to Bible school, when I can just sin and live it up like these arrogant people? I’m tired of living righteously when I don’t get rewarded for it. These people are out drinking, partying and having sex like there’s no tomorrow, and they’re having the time of their lives. Me? I wake up struggling each morning, struggling toward righteousness and fighting for purity; on my knees every day before the Lord. What for? Life is a battle for me, but for them it’s a walk in the park. I feel like giving up sometimes.”
And I think these things, but I don’t say it. No, I would never say it. If I say it to my other Christian Brothers and Sisters, they would just judge me and think that I’m a fall-away believer. Or I might just cause some people to stumble in their belief about You. In my doubts, I wouldn’t want someone to set their beliefs. Why would I do that?
So even though it was hard, I held my tongue and kept these thoughts to myself instead of telling someone about it. I decided I was going to think about why You let these blatant and outright sinners live the “good life”. But it’s so hard to understand! I just don’t get it, God!
But one day, I decided to get away from the world. I wanted to get into Your presence, and when I did, I really thought about the lives of these people and where they’re headed one day. And I realized, You really let them live this way so that they can get the destruction they deserve, don’t you? I realized that one day, they are going to be in utter destruction. Their sinful and fancy lives will disappear before them, like a cloud of mist on a hot summer day. And You are like that sun. Their lives of sinful pleasure will be over and gone before they know it. You aren’t blind to these things! I realized that in Your timing, you will act in your righteousness and sweep their lives away like dust under the rug.
Wow. I’ve been extremely foolish by being jealous of these people that live for themselves; these people who are constantly sinning and rebelling against you. I was so jealous, hurting inside because I really wanted what they had and what this world had to offer. Am I that stupid? Am I myself blind? I probably sounded like a whining child to you, screaming and crying for the trash when You have been offering me life and riches in Your hands. But even so, You hold me near to You and take care of me, even though I think these whiny little things. You always lead me in the right paths, and you straighten out my thinking when it gets twisted and awry. You always show me the right way when I’m confused or distracted. In this way, You lead me onto a path where I will always be with You; never apart and never forsaken.
And so, who else can I depend on but You? Really? Everything in this life means nothing to me apart from You, because You have shown Yourself worthy to be praised. Even though I’m weak and my flesh fights for dominance over my life; even though I struggle with this flesh and with my desire for this world, I know in my heart of hearts that I long for You and Your presence more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life. Whether I admit it or not, I will always want You.
God will always be my strength and my driving force. I am His and He is mine forever. Nothing and no one can take this from me.
But for those who live in their sins and who laugh at the name of the Almighty God? I feel really bad for them. Actually, I cringe in sad expectation, because they’re going to get theirs one day. It’s like insulting the Mafia Boss and expecting him not to retaliate. If this is how a mere human defends his honor, how much more will You, my God, uphold Your own righteousness? You keep a record of those who think they can talk trash against You and get away with it. When the time is right, You’ll destroy them. But that’s not the case with me. With me? I’m so happy that I know You! It’s so good to be in your presence and to know who You are. I come to You for all things and I find my rest and peace in You, because You are my Rock and my Shelter.
And I can’t wait to tell everyone I know about what You’ve done for my life. You’ve done some pretty amazing things.
Thank You God, for saving me.
I love this Psalm because I relate to every word of it. As a sinful human, I know I go back and forth between the two feelings, but I hope to always end my doubtful, envious thoughts the way the psalmist ends his: that nothing else will satisfy me more than the Lord and being in His presence, and following Him in the path that He has carefully laid out to me. And when we reach that beautiful end thought, our previous thoughts will be foolish to us.
Be encouraged today, Brothers and Sisters! :) Particularly by this psalm, because I know for a fact we have all thought these same things, whether internally or out loud.
Sinful pleasures lead to death and destruction. Following the Lord and indulging in Him leads to life. The end. It makes no logical sense to envy those who are going to lose spiritually. It makes no sense to envy losers when we are winners.
God has been working amazingly in my life, and I hope to write about it soon when I get the chance. I’ve been busy with midterms! But all in all, even though I struggle with my desires and what I want, I find myself longing for Christ on a deeper level now more than ever.. I admit that my pursuit of Him has not been as it should, but I am grateful for the fact that my longing for Him has not been quenched, but intensified. It hurts, but I long to satisfy this craving for Him. Jesus is better than anything I could ever hope for, or imagine.
All the glory and honor and praise to Him, Jesus. Thank You.
button
