The psalmist struggles within himself as to the appropriate response to evil and injustice in the world. This psalm is best categorized as a wisdom psalm in which lament is the vehicle of communication.

v.1 The psalmist has learned from his own experience that God is good. The "pure” are not perfect but live in loyalty to God in speech and action, thus evidencing their "pure" motives. They are without hypocrisy.

vv.4-12 The wicked seem to be carefree and unconcerned about tomorrow. They are doing well, as their wealth and power increase. They seem like "gods" who do not suffer from the frailties, adversities, diseases, and toilsome labor common to most people. Their eyes sparkle because everything is going well for them. They do not regard God and his commandments. Instead, they are puffed up with "pride." They leave behind a trail of violence, living at the expense of others. The wicked rule with their tongues. By intimidation they instill fear in others, and they act as if they can get by without responsibility to God. They decree how things are to be done on earth and what God can do in heaven. Most distressing to the psalmist is that it seems as if God lets the wicked get by with their wickedness.

vv.13-17 The psalmist is having trouble seeing the purpose of remaining faithful. Whereas the wicked are ‘not plagued’, the psalmist is constantly ‘plagued’. We can paraphrase these verses in the form of a question, “What good is it to be faithful to God?” While v.15 does not answer this question, it does mark a turning point. It is important that v.16 marks the psalmist’s first direct address to God. […] The psalmist realizes that if he or she were to keep on talking the way expressed in vv.13-14, then it would be a betrayal of God’s family – that is Israel. What brings the psalmist through the crises of faith, then is apparently his or her identity as a member of God’s people.

vv.15-17 The psalmist confesses a deep concern for the people of God. He had thought about removing himself for the sake of the prosperity and peace of his soul, but he could not sever ties with God's people. He further confesses that though he cannot understand the ways of God, he did experience God's peace when he entered into the sanctuary. Overwhelmed by the greatness, glory, and majesty of God, the psalmist rediscovers that the Lord is just! In the end evil is not and never will be victorious.

vv.18-19 Whereas the Lord had not permitted the psalmist to slip into sin, the wicked are doomed to fall. It may take several generations before they are brought down to God's judgment, but the assurance of Scripture is that they will be judged "suddenly" and "completely."

The psalmist now realizes that the apparent prosperity of the wicked is not true peace at all. Consequently, the psalmist has discovered a true and lasting peace that is not ‘as the world gives’. This peace is founded on the simple but profound good news that God is present. The good news is reemphasized by the repetition in Hebrew ‘with you’. […] More fundamental that the traditional notions of being pure in heart and keeping one’s heart clean, is the assurance that God is always present and thus the enduring ‘strength of my heart’. The word ‘portion’ elsewhere designates the share that every Israelite was supposed to have in the land and that, therefore, meant access to life and future. The psalmist now knows an even greater portion: God’s own self, which promises life and future.

vv.23-26 Because of God's presence, the psalmist is assured of his protection and guidance. God protects him by holding his "right hand," by giving him internal fortitude, and by providing for all his needs. God guides his servant by giving him wisdom and insight as he travels on to everlasting glory. The "glory of God is his blessed presence, which affects one's whole way of life. There is no one but God, his Sustainer in heaven, with whom the psalmist longingly desires to fellowship. Therefore he is more prepared to face his present existence with all its problems. He is prepared to grow older and experience failing health and even adversity because God is his "strength," "portion," and "refuge" (v. 28). "The Rock" of Israel is present with him .

vv.27-28 In anticipation of God's just acts of vindication, the psalmist declares his hope in his God. The wicked must perish in the end because they are "unfaithful" to God. These verses are a fitting conclusion to the psalm. Envy has turned to hope, and God's goodness to Israel is also experienced at the individual level. "It is good to be near God."

Psalm 73:1-28