Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who 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 had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;
3 For I envied 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 They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
5 They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted 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 their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.
7 From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
8 They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.
10 So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.
11 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.
15 If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.
18 Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.
19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
20 Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and 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 When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, 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 Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
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 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.
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.
