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“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God…" (Psalm 73:16-17).
“Psalm 73 belongs among the ripest fruits that grew from the wrestling of faith in the Old Testament...” 1
We don’t know a ton biographically about Asaph, ascribed to be the author of this psalm, other than Asaph was tasked with and musically gifted in his service to the Lord’s house and God’s people in David’s day — and he served abundantly (1 Chronicles 6:31-39, 16:5). But we do learn of at least one spiritual battle he faced in his life in the words of Psalm 73.
Asaph’s confession of faith is evident from the beginning: “Truly God is good to Israel to those who are pure in heart” (Psalm 73:1). But so too, even in that confession of faith, Asaph has to admit his heart is heavy, and his perspective is clouded. That in his wrestling he has almost stumbled, fallen, and slipped away from what goodness God provides (Psalm 73:2). The psalmist recognizes this, and at first he describes why his feet just about slipped, trying to wrestle through it (Psalm 73:3-15). The first half of the psalm is filled with Asaph’s wrestling through frustration and doubt. That wrestling is a relatable experience — not just an Old Testament experience — but it has been and continues to be the Christian’s experience in this world. Jesus is the one who reminds His disciples that by virtue of following Him, they will have trouble in this world (John 16:33).
Like the disciples, much like any of us, Asaph admits that when troubles present themselves in difficult ways, his heart can’t help but wrestle with it. It is clear this wrestling is weighing on him; it’s taken its toll. Asaph admits that wrestling hasn’t brought an answer, but only painful fatigue. That when he tries to understand, it is a troubling pain, a toilsome endeavor, a wearisome task.
But then a shift occurs, a perspective changes. In verse 17, the wrestling stops when he enters the sanctuary of God — when he gets in the sanctuary, in the presence of God. In God’s presence, the wrestling becomes the resting.
Though painful and initially indignant (vv. 21-22), Asaph finds rest in the reality that this world cannot change, but only once he is brought into dwelling in the presence of God. Though battered, “nevertheless” Asaph will stand with God. It is God alone who is with him, faithfully, always leading him by hand (v. 23). It is God alone who can bring him counsel and guidance (v. 24); God alone is the true desire of Asaph’s heart (v. 25), and it will be God alone who is the source of strength for Asaph’s faith life (v. 26).
Psalm 73 paints a beautiful picture of a faithful heart and yet a distressed human heart. Asaph had no shortage of time spent inside the temple of the Lord, and many times he was tasked by David himself with writing down, utilizing his musical gifts, and proclaiming the wonders of God to the benefit of God’s people (1 Chronicles 16:7-36, 25:1). And just like many others in the Bible whom God used for ministry to God’s people, Asaph had a lot to say and do (Titus 3:14-15, 1 Corinthians 11:34, 2 John 12). Yet, even for those entrusted with much to say and do, the greatest source of comfort comes not from striving or wrestling, but from resting and being still before the Lord. Psalm 73 reminds us that there is a difference between spending time in the Lord’s house and truly dwelling — physically and spiritually — in the sanctuary of the Lord.
What do you do when troubles come? Uncertainties arise? Confusion exists? Wrestle, probably. That’s ok; we all do, even Asaph. But this week, if you are struggling with a reality that can be difficult, take a different page from Asaph’s book. Rest. Get close to God. Get into the sanctuary. Dwell in His presence. Receive His blessings. See what He can do through you, in you, by your obedience and faith. After all, what was true for Asaph is true for you as well. “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” (v. 28).
1 H.C. Leupold, Exposition of the Psalms, p. 523
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