Free group study handout
Psalm 73: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Psalm 73 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
God is good to Israel and to those who are pure in heart (vv. 1-2). However, the psalmist nearly stumbled when he envied the wicked and saw their prosperity (vv.
Key verse
“Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.”
Psalms 73:25 (WEB)
Outline
- Psalm 73:1–2 God's Goodness to Israel
- Psalm 73:3–12 Observing the Prosperity of the Wicked
- Psalm 73:13–16 The Struggle of the Righteous
- Psalm 73:17–20 Entering God's Sanctuary
- Psalm 73:21–23 Personal Reflection and Realization
- Psalm 73:24–26 Hope in God's Guidance
- Psalm 73:27–28 Commitment to God as Refuge
Discussion questions
- In v2, what does the psalmist mean by 'my feet were almost gone'?
- What does the word 'innocence' refer to in v13?
- The question of God's knowledge in v11: what does this imply about the wicked's understanding of accountability?
- The phrase 'when I entered God’s sanctuary' in v17: how does this mark a turning point for the psalmist?
- How does the psalmist's struggle in v14 with feeling 'plagued' resonate with times you felt unjustly treated?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Psalm 73: Psalm 16, Isaiah 48, Psalm 31.
Before next time: read Psalm 74.