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Psalm Fifty

1. Psalm 50 is the first of the twelve psalms of Asaph (Ps. 50, 73-83).
2. Asaph describes a Sovereign Subpoena issued to all the earth (Ps. 50:1-6).
3. The eternal judgment is not based upon external ritual, but the internal reality of the worshipper’s heart (Ps. 50:7-15).
4. The eternal judgment of unbelievers is based upon a rejection of God’s Word—specifically His gospel message of salvation in Christ (Ps. 50:16-21).  The urgency of this eternal condemnation motivates the giving and receiving of the gospel (Ps. 50:22-23).

Psalm Seventy-Three

1. Asaph composed a psalm which describes his own close call with spiritual failure (Ps. 73:2).
2. The psalmist failed in the mental attitude sin of envy (Ps. 73:3-9), and it nearly brought about his downfall into overt sin (Ps. 73:2).
3. The psalmist knows that he must keep his heart pure (Ps. 73:1,13), and yet many of his associates are going the way of wickedness (Ps. 73:10-14).
4. The psalmist wrestled with his spiritual responsibilities, and knew that he must set the right example (Ps. 73:15-28).
   1. He found comfort in God’s sanctuaries (prayer reference) (v.15).
   2. He obtained an eternal perspective (vv.16-20).
   3. The Word of God pierced his soul, and the hand of God led him through the test (vv.21-24).
   4. His intimacy with the LORD was his greatest blessing (vv.25-28).

Psalm Seventy-Four

1. Asaph views a complete destruction of God’s temple (Ps. 74:1-11).
   1. Asaph was a contemporary of David, and may have lived long enough to see Solomon’s temple constructed.
   2. Asaph did not physically see Solomon’s temple destroyed.
      1. Asaph either saw Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of the temple during the days of Jeremiah, or
      2. Asaph saw Antichrist’s destruction of the temple during the Tribulation of Israel.
2. Asaph understands the destruction of God’s temple as the work of God’s adversaries (Ps. 74:3-4,10).
3. Asaph takes comfort by bringing his thinking back around to the awesome power of God (Ps. 74:12-17).  The context of this passage is the power of God in the destruction of the angelic earth.
4. Asaph calls upon the LORD to remember His unconditional covenants, and to act in accordance with His own righteousness.