Psalms 73
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.
A Psalm. Of Asaph. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had well nigh slipped.
But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
4 For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.
For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
5 They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men.
They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain around their neck. Violence covers them as a garment.
For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish.
Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression. They speak loftily.
Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.
Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them.
For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.
11 And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?
And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth.
Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,
As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
14 for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.
15 If I had said, I will speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of thy sons.
If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
16 When I thought how I might understand this, it was too painful for me,
When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.
Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.
18 Surely thou set them in slippery places. Thou cast them down to destruction.
You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.
19 How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
20 As a dream from awakening, O Lord, when thou waken, thou will despise their form.
As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.
21 For my soul was grieved, and I was pricked in my heart.
My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
22 So I was brutish, and ignorant. I was a beast before thee.
As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee. Thou have held my right hand.
But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.
24 Thou will guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.
25 Whom have I in heaven? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.
27 For, lo, those who are far from thee shall perish. Thou have destroyed all those who go a whoring from thee.
For those who are far away from you will come to destruction: you will put an end to all those who have not kept faith with you.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have made the lord Jehovah my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.
But it is good for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.
