Why do the wicked seem to prosper according to Psalm 73:4? Text “For they have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.” — Psalm 73:4 Literary Setting Psalm 73 opens Book III of the Psalter. Asaph contrasts the apparent ease of the wicked (vv. 3-12) with the later discovery of their true end (vv. 17-20). Verse 4 is part of the complaint section (vv. 1-16) that sets up the dramatic turning point in the sanctuary (v. 17). Historical and Authorship Notes Asaph, a Levitical choir leader under David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7), penned or directed this psalm. Second-Temple scribal tradition and the consistent Asaphic headings across Hebrew, Greek (LXX), and Dead Sea Scroll witnesses confirm a coherent authorship corpus, lending weight to the authenticity of the lament. Exegetical Detail • “No struggle” (Heb. ḥărṣubōth): lit. “no pains, fetters, or cords.” It pictures death approaching without tightening cords of agony. • “Well-fed” (bāri’): from a root meaning “fat, sleek, healthy,” indicating robust outward prosperity. The verse therefore observes a surface phenomenon: the wicked often die in comfort, untroubled by disease or adversity up to the moment of death. Why the Phenomenon Appears Real 1. Observational Bias Fallen perception sees the external (1 Samuel 16:7). Asaph confesses envy (v. 3). Cognitive science recognizes confirmation bias: we highlight data that reinforce our grievance while ignoring contrary evidence (cf. Proverbs 24:19-20). 2. Common Grace God “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Matthew 5:45). Temporal prosperity is not approval; it is mercy that offers repentance (Romans 2:4). Archaeological layers at Nineveh showcase opulence even while Nahum pronounced judgment, illustrating the lag between sin and sentence. 3. Divine Forbearance and Justice in Process Ecclesiastes 8:11 notes that delayed judgment encourages wickedness. Yet Habakkuk 2:3 affirms that the appointed time “will not delay.” Geological studies of the Dead Sea fault line reveal sudden cataclysmic layers matching Genesis 19 sulfur deposits; judgment can arrive abruptly after apparent stability. Purposes in God’s Economy • Testing the Righteous Psalm 11:5 declares that “the LORD tests the righteous.” The righteous learn to walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Behavioral research shows adversity refines character far more than ease, paralleling James 1:2-4. • Demonstrating Ultimate Retribution Psalm 73:17-20 reverses the thesis: the wicked are “cast down to destruction.” Jesus echoes this with the rich man in Luke 16:19-31, who enjoyed luxury yet awoke in torment. Eschatological Resolution Resurrection theology completes the answer. Jesus’ bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20) guarantees final judgment (Acts 17:31). The wicked “will come out—to judgment” (John 5:29). Historical-minimal-fact analysis confirms the resurrection as a public, space-time event, sealing the certainty of eschatological justice. Psychological Dynamics Envy corrodes perception (Proverbs 14:30). Asaph’s solution is worship: entering the sanctuary re-anchors cognition in divine reality (Psalm 73:17). Modern neuroimaging shows gratitude and worship rewire stress responses, aligning with “set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2). Scriptural Parallels Job 21:7-13; Jeremiah 12:1-2; Malachi 3:14-18; Psalm 37:1-2; Proverbs 23:17-18 all voice the same question and answer it with ultimate justice and hope. Practical Exhortation 1. Reject envy; embrace eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). 2. Seek sanctuary—corporate worship and Scripture realign perception. 3. Proclaim the gospel: the apparent ease of the wicked is temporary; only Christ provides enduring life (John 10:10). Summary Psalm 73:4 records a real but temporary observation: the wicked often die comfortably. God permits this for common grace and for the testing and refining of His people. The sanctuary perspective, confirmed by Christ’s resurrection, reveals that eternal justice will reverse present appearances. |
    |