Psalm 73, written by Asaph—the choir director appointed by King David—captures the tension between faith, doubt and envy. Asaph peers over the fence, so to speak, observing how the secular world lives. What he discovers is something we often notice ourselves: those who ignore God often seem to live well, even better than those who wholeheartedly pursue God. Asaph, keeping his eyes fixed on the prosperity of the world, grows embittered toward God. He begins to conclude that there is little reason for anyone who desires success to live righteously. In his heart, he secretly wonders if honoring God is worthwhile. This “church” musician finds himself on a dangerously slippery slope. 

In verse 2, Asaph admits, “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled.” He examines his virtuous life and devotion to God, yet feels that God has been good to others but not to him. He realizes he is in trouble. Asaph is determining truth through personal experience—a temptation pastors face as well. We often engage in introspection and begin to believe that truth is shaped by individual meaning and circumstance. Though we criticize the world for doing this, we too sometimes ground our beliefs in what we observe and measure, rather than in God’s revelation. Like Asaph, we may conclude that God does not look very good to us. Yet Asaph was no novice; he knew God’s Word well enough to compose songs for temple worship—twelve of them were national hits. Still, he was slipping on dangerous ground, where no Christian can stand securely. 

In verse 3, Asaph confesses, “For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” He became zealous for himself, and envy took root. He recognizes that the problem lies within himself: he wrongly questioned God and grew jealous of the arrogant. Doubt destabilized even this faithful servant. His heart, stirred by envy, illustrates that even God’s leaders are not immune to the temptation of measuring truth by personal experience rather than divine revelation. 

Asaph describes what he observed: 

• The wicked live with ease, seemingly free from suffering until death (v 4). 

• They appear healthy and strong (v 5). 

• They are proud and merciless—cutthroats (v 6). 

• They indulge in excess, their eyes bulge from their chubby cheeks with greed and their hearts overflow with folly (v 7). 

• They mock opposition with malicious words and threats (v 8). 

• They speak against anyone without fear, and others cower before them (vv 9–10). 

• As a result, people question God’s justice, for he seems silent while the arrogant grow richer (vv 11–12). Meanwhile, the righteous struggle and suffer. 

At this point, Asaph’s doubt deepens and envy overflows. He concludes that righteous living is worthless: “In vain have I kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence” (v 13). His reasoning is shallow, yet common both in the world and in the church. Like many, Asaph believes God owes him an easier life for his uprightness, as though comfort and success were the goals of righteousness (v 14). He feels his life does not resemble the Psalm 1 image of the godly man—“like a tree planted by streams of water.” Instead, he laments that he is stricken daily and rebuked continually for believing in the virtue of righteous living. To him, the promise of blessing for righteousness seems a dream or illusion. 

This distorted expectation may explain the rising moral failures among pastors. It’s reported that “moral failure among pastors is at an all-time high, with six to nine pastors committing adultery or engaging in sexual misconduct every hour, 165–205 clerics every day” (Jerry Johnstone, Acadia Divinity College, 2012). Such lament often reflects misplaced expectations of what righteousness should yield. 

Asaph admits in verse 15 that these thoughts trouble him daily. Like many pastors, he dares not voice them, knowing it would betray God’s people. He has an image to maintain and a role to fulfill. So he restrains his tongue, continues directing, and carries out his temple duties, even as the inner battle rages. He grows weary of reconciling his beliefs with his experiences (v 16). To him, the righteous are not better off. 

This was Asaph—a man who daily entered God’s house to lead worship, to write songs of God’s goodness, and to inspire devotion, love and joy in others, all while wrestling with doubt. Yet everything changed when he entered God’s sanctuary and sincerely worshiped (v 17). In God’s presence, his perspective shifted, and the slippery slope gave way to solid ground. 

In verse 17, Asaph writes, “until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” When he truly worshipped God, he began to truly understand God. Worship requires more than simply thinking about God—it involves perceiving deeply and responding wholeheartedly. It is the difference between looking at a delicious meal and eating it, or between Monday morning gym class and playing the championship game under the lights before an excited audience. True worship engages the senses. 

This can be especially challenging for those who labor to produce and lead weekly worship services. Too often, leaders are preoccupied with guiding others to Christ while failing to engage in worship themselves. 

Like Asaph, we often focus so much on the present that we forget its temporary nature. Change comes quickly; what is now will soon be different. When we lose perspective of the ever-changing present, doubt grows, and the problem of evil and suffering breeds doubt about God. Asaph realized this when he said, “I considered what is their final end.” The present shifts constantly, but the final end remains unchanged. 

This contrast is striking: Asaph placed himself on a slippery slope, but he came to understand that God is not silent. God places the wicked on a treacherous, unstable path (v 18), leading them to ultimate ruin. They may rise to the top, but God brings them down to the very bottom. 

The real question is not “Who is winning now?” but “Who will finish the race a winner?” Asaph declares, “For the wicked will be destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors” (v 19). He likens them to a dream (v 20)—their ease, riches, power, and disdain vanish at sunrise, despised as illusions when God awakens to judge like a man who wakes up to a dream he hates. 

Though Asaph’s soul was pricked with envy and embittered, true worship reshaped his vision of God (v 21). This is the benefit of worship: it recalibrates our perspective. In verses 21–28, Asaph outlines five benefits of true worship, which remain vital for all in vocational ministry. 

Five Benefits of True Worship 

1. Worship is a pillar for understanding life (v 22). 

Asaph admits he became brutish and ignorant, like a wild animal living by instinct. Yet through sincere worship, he gained a true understanding of life. Worship reveals who God truly is, and only then does the world begin to make sense. Without this, worship is reduced to mere duty or ritual.

2. Worship reveals God’s loving care (vv 23–24).

In the sanctuary, Asaph realized, “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.” God had not abandoned him but upheld him in hardship. Worship opened his eyes to God’s protection and guidance. Asaph saw that God was not cheating or ignoring him. 

Asaph continues, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.” Worship teaches us that God not only sustains us now but also teaches us how to navigate life and secures our eternal future. Now he is with me, and in the future, I will be with him.

3. Worship enlarges our heart for God (v 25). 

Encountering God’s majesty transforms fear, anger, and resentment into longing, trust, and love. Asaph exclaims, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” Worship reshapes our affections toward God.

4. Worship teaches that God can be trusted to do as he pleases (v 26). 

When the worshipper encounters the magnitude and wisdom of God, he begins to also see the goodness of God , and he is suddenly not so worried about himself anymore. Asaph acknowledges human frailty: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Worship reminded him that though life brings pain and aging, God remains his strength and his portion, allowing him to live daily. He echoes Psalm 16:5: “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot (destiny) secure.” Worship teaches us that God himself is our source of joy and contentment.

5. Worship teaches us to fear God and desire him (vv 27–28). 

Asaph concludes, “For behold, those who are far from you shall perish… But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” His envy of the wicked transformed into contempt (and maybe pity). Worship drew him closer to God, inspiring him to testify of God’s greatness. Asaph speaks for himself, but also for all those who labor in God’s house and know him affectionately. 

Conclusion 

Through worship, Asaph rediscovered the God he loved deeply. He confessed, “I have made God my hiding place”—a refuge from enemies and from his own misguided thoughts. This is the power of true worship: it recalibrates our perspective, restores our trust, and renews our desire to remain near God.