Then I Went into the Sanctuary

So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked…. I was so foolish and
ignorant — I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You
guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more
than anything on earth. Psalm 73:16-17, 22-25 NLT
It has been suggested that the five books of the Psalms correspond to four periods in Israel’s
history: 1-41, 42-72 the united kingdom; 73-89 the divided kingdom; 90-105 the exile; 106-150
the return. This is not to say that the various psalms were written at these times, but that they
have been grouped by content to reflect the times. It is a theory only, but it offers some possible
keys to interpreting the psalms.
In the case of psalm 73, first in the third book, it is a psalm that, for fifteen verses, reflects on the
apparent triumph of the wicked. Is the writer thinking about the apparent success of the northern
kingdom under their apostate first king, Jeroboam (1 Kgs 12:25 – 13:34)? Is he wondering how
this can be? Whatever that may be, this is a serious problem for many today: how can a good
God allow all the evil, and evil ones, to continue to exist?
The psalm addresses the issue in a way that might be surprising. The writer went into the
presence of God! When he did that, he came to the conclusion that God can be trusted to right all
wrongs. What is he saying? He is saying that whatever you do, do not let anything mar your
personal relationship with God. Guard your reading of Scripture and your prayer life as you
would your eyes. Does God answer all our questions? Of course not. But if you know him
personally, if he is a living reality in your life, you will be confident that he has the answers and
that you don’t need to know them all – except this – that he can be trusted! Does that take faith?
Of course it does! But if God is real to you, it is not impossible.