Our pastor Matt Fletcher is currently preaching through the book of Esther. As we gathered in his home last evening for our “Growth Group” – our other “Matt” who led the discussion, had us consider Ps. 73 in light of the conflict between Mordecai and Haman in Esther 3.

Considering that powerful Ps. penned by Asaph, it drew me back to muse on the grand themes it explores, and jogged my mind once again. Below is the Psalm couched in verse. I pray it is blessing to you as you ponder it afresh today.

Surely the Lord our God is good
Good to all his people
Good to the mighty and the strong
Good to the weak and feeble

But as for me, I almost fell
Unsure my steps near stumbled
My eyes were fixed on the arrogant
On the wicked never humbled

It seemed to me they feared not death
They dined, their hearts content
And free from lives of burdened care
Toward wickedness all bent

They wore their pride like jewelry
And violence like robes
Prosperous in iniquity
With every blessing clothed

Their sinful thoughts ran unrestrained
They mock and speak with scorn
And threaten any they oppose
Oppress, harass and warn

They speak against the heav’nly things
Tongues strutting o’er the earth
And justify among themselves
Their careless life of mirth

In wickedness they dare to ask
Can God know what we do?
Do any think he knows our ways?
He deigns our sins to view?

Considering this spectacle
My heart was led to doubt
Why had I walked in righteousness
And sought my sins to rout?

What sense was there in keeping pure?
Why turn from sin’s dark stains?
Why suffer godly discipline?
Why bother taking pains?

And yet I knew if thus I spoke
That others may be harmed
If by my doubts they strayed from God
And by deceits were charmed

My mind still reeling, ill at ease
Confused and not at rest
I went to seek the face of God
Would he my doubts address?

And there in prayer before his throne
At last my eyes did see
‘Tis not the present circumstance
That frames what’s yet to be

For these who walk without a care
Forgetting God is there
Are surely in a slippery place
How will they finally fare?

The day will come when all are judged
Both great and small will stand
To give an answer for their lives
Did they love God’s commands?

How suddenly they’re laid to waste
All who reject God’s rule
In judgment’s terrors swept away
At last be proved the fool

How then my heart was pained within
How senseless I had been
With no more reason than a beast
Deceived by my own sin

And then The Spirit reassured
God’s hand held fast in mine
His truth is truest counsel sure
One day, with him I’ll dine

Oh Lord, whom do I have but you?
In heaven or on earth?
It’s true my heart and flesh may fail
But you are all my worth

Those far from you will surely die
The wicked you’ll destroy
But you are my true refuge Lord
Proclaiming you - my joy!