Psalms 73
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.
“BOOK III. A psalm of Asaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, —To those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had well nigh slipped.
Yet my feet almost gave way; My steps had well nigh slipped:
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious of the proud, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.
For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.
5 They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men.
They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten like other men.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain around their neck. Violence covers them as a garment.
Therefore pride encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish.
From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression. They speak loftily.
They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;
9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.
They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;
10 Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them.
Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.
11 And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?
And they say, “How doth God know? How can there be knowledge with the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth.
Behold these are the ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up riches.
13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.
15 If I had said, I will speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of thy sons.
If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.
16 When I thought how I might understand this, it was too painful for me,
So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.
18 Surely thou set them in slippery places. Thou cast them down to destruction.
Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.
19 How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!
20 As a dream from awakening, O Lord, when thou waken, thou will despise their form.
As a dream when one awaketh, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.
21 For my soul was grieved, and I was pricked in my heart.
When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,
22 So I was brutish, and ignorant. I was a beast before thee.
Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee. Thou have held my right hand.
Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.
24 Thou will guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last receive me in glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
Whom have I in heaven but thee, And whom on earth do I love in comparison with thee?
26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, those who are far from thee shall perish. Thou have destroyed all those who go a whoring from thee.
For, lo! they who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves from thee.
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 draw near to God; I put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, That I may declare all thy works.
