Show Don't Tell: Psalm 73

Instead of saying "Don't envy the wicked," feel the feet slipping. A psalm of Asaph. "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Almost fell—faith nearly failed. "They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills." Life looks easy for the wicked. "Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression." Pride worn like jewelry, violence like clothing. "They say, 'How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?' This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth." Practical atheism pays. "Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments." Righteousness feels pointless. "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." The sanctuary shift—seeing the end. "Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!" Their turn to slip. "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."