Page 75 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

down to him (v. 11). He will live forever, and all nations will be blessed through him (v. 17). The whole
earth will be full of his glory (v. 19).

The picture in Book III (73-89) is quite different from this triumphant future reign. The writer asserts by
faith, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart (73:1).” He then goes on to admit his
struggle. As he watched the realities in life when time after time the wicked seemed to prosper (not like
the chaff of Psalm 1 that was blown about by strong winds), he wondered if he had vainly washed his
hands in innocence (v. 13). Only by faith could he survive such a life-long test. “But as for me, it is good
to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds (v. 28).” As Book III
continues the writer asked repeatedly either, “Why have you rejected us forever?” or “How long will the
enemy mock you, God?”

74:1 “O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against
the sheep of your pasture? (Cf. 74:10)
77:7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? (77:8, 9)
79:5 “How long, LORD? will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like
fire? (79:10)
80:4 “How long, LORD God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your
people?” (80:12)
82:2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?”
85:5 “Will you be angry for us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all
generations? (85:6)
88:14 “Why, LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?”

The core problem is the identity of the
wicked in Psalm 73:3, 12. Who is so proud
(v. 6) with callous hearts (v. 7)? Who is it
that mocks God, saying, “How would God
know (v. 11)?” Who is it that God ultimately
casts down to ruin (v. 18)? Psalm 74
identifies the ruins as Mount Zion (v. 2). The
violence practiced by the proud (73:6) has
filled the land (74:20). The sovereign God
has allowed the wicked gentiles to punish Figure 40: Surveying
wicked Israel. Israel’s sin has brought this
punishment. It will last as long as their sin lasts. The forever rejection will last as long as the uproar of
God’s enemies lasts (74:1, 23). “Assured destruction of the wicked shown to the speaker in 73 upon
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entering the sanctuaries is revealed to be that of Israel itself in 74.”

This is half of the message of Book III. “It is God who judges (75:7).” If Israel finds itself judged, the fault
is theirs. Israel continued to sin against him (78:17). Israel desperately needs deliverance and forgiveness
of sins (79:8). They continued to worship foreign gods and paid the penalty for their stubbornness (81:8-
12). Instead of justly treating the poor and needy, the rulers in Israel defended the unjust and showed

121 Robert L. Cole, The Shape and Message of Book III (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000), 36.
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