The psalm is ascribed to Asaph, leader of one of David's Levetical choirs. This psalm begins a collection of 11 psalms by the Asaphite clan.
             As an introduction to this Psalm, its good to know some facts about Asaph the author of this psalm and his family of singers. Throughout many of the Psalms and other OT books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, the Asaph family keeps poppling up every time music is mentioned. Asaph was the patriarch of one of the three families of Temple musicians who were appointed by King David to be in charge of singing in the Temple. The Asaphite psalms are dominated by the theme of God's rule over Israel, His people and other nations. In view of the fact that the collection clearly contains prayers from a later date (e.g.' Ps 74; 79 and 83) references to Asaph in these titles must sometimes include descendants of Asaph who functioned in his place.
             This psalm speaks about the godly wisdom concerning the destinies of the righteous and the wicked. When we read this psalm, we are drawn to one of the most disturbing problems of the OT saints: How is it that the wicked so often prosper while the godly suffer much? If we are sincere, we will confess that this thought must have entered our minds also many times in life. This psalm can be divided into two halves of 14 verses each.
             Verses 1-14: An almost fatal trial of faith. Its not fair! Have you ever said this to God as you watch cheaters get ahead of you in life, immoral people gain fame and fortune. In such times we all have wondered, what's wrong with this world? That is where Asaph finds himself in Psalms 73.
             "Surely God is good to Israel", he begins. He seems to be going through the motion of saying those words with so real conviction. As he goes on, we find that he's not very passionate about God's goodness. Somehow the great promise of God don't seem to apply to him
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