Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Psalms

Psalms 
Day 
Day 9

Psalm 73:7a "Their eyes bulge with abundance..."

Day 9 – Psalm 73

“Their eyes bulge with abundance…” Psalm 73:7a

THE HAVES AND THE HAVE-NOTS

A common way of looking at society in the ancient world of Asaph would be to see two groups of people, distinctively set apart from each other. There would be “the haves” and “the have-nots”.

“Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.”
Psalm 73:7

1. “The have-nots”

a) Their eyes are sunken because of malnutrition.
b) Their hearts wish for the basic necessities of life.
c) They can barely eke out a living.

2. “The haves”

a) Their eyes bulge with abundance.
i) This is an attempt to paint a word-picture.
ii) The wicked-rich have so much that their eyes bulge.
iii) This is like describing a problem of obesity.
b) They have more than heart could wish.
i) The wicked-rich can afford anything they desire.
ii) Whatever the heart may wish, there is that financial ability to purchase it.

A SOCIAL DILEMMA

The psalmist Asaph was effectively describing a social dilemma.

1. The wicked-rich have no social consideration for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).

2. There was clear disregard for the poor and the unfortunate.

3. There was much selfishness displayed by the wicked-rich who indulged themselves.