Psalms 73
1 A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
A Psalm of Asaph. Surely 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 nearly slipped.
But 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.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
5 They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8 They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10 Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11 They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
14 For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.
For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
16 When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—
When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
25 Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
28 But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.
