21When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,

22I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

23Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:21-26
Envy ruins the soul.

The soul that looks longingly at what others have will soon convince itself of its own self-righteousness and right to take.

When we cast our hearts upon the ease, beauty, riches, and power others have we will never be satisfied. We will miss what we do have. We will miss the wisdom of following God now and we will be in danger of making awful decisions.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 73:2-3

2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

In verse 21 he describes what envy has done to his soul. He is embittered, brutish, and ignorant. He lives like a beast toward God.

Yet, there is grace. There is grace for the soul being ruined by envy. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heard and my portion forever.”

Such is the grace of God in Christ Jesus that we can say, “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” (verse 28)