Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

Psalm 73 addresses an age-old question: Why do the righteous have difficulty while the wicked become rich? 

This psalmist almost lost his faith because of this question.

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.” -Psalm 73:2-4

The wicked had arrogance toward God. They showed it in several different ways:

• Pride is their necklace (Psalm 73:6).

• They speak with malice (Psalm 73:8).

• They set their mouth against Heaven (Psalm 73:9).

• Always at ease, they have increased in wealth (Psalm 73:12).

When we see that same behavior today, we start to ask the same questions. In verse 16, Asaph wrote, “When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply ... .”

We look at our brothers and sisters who love Jesus and serve God but seem to have everything in their lives go wrong. Even today, we see the followers of Jesus attacked publicly for their faith—black-balled by the media and called narrow-minded because they won’t accept a lifestyle that is rebellious to a holy God.

In business, many times the cutthroat people land the deal, or the prideful are given the contract. It just doesn’t seem fair if God really loves us. That was the writer’s struggle 3,000 years ago, and it’s still a struggle today. 

But Asaph finally saw from God’s point of view in verse 17.

“... till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”

Later Asaph goes on to say, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you (Psalm 73:25).” 

Asaph’s confused heart found comfort and confidence in God’s framework and God’s plan.

Next time, we’ll look at this psalm more as we learn to train our hearts to see from God’s perspective.