Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
A Psalm of Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to those who are upright in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
But my feet were nearly moved; my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was zealous over the iniquitous, seeing the peacefulness of sinners.
4 They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
For they have no respect for their death, nor do they have support in their wounds.
5 They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
They are not with the hardships of men, nor will they be scourged with men.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
Therefore, arrogance has held on to them. They have been covered with their iniquity and impiety.
7 From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
Their iniquity has proceeded, as if from fat. They have parted from the affection of the heart.
8 They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
They have thought and spoken wickedness. They have spoken iniquity in high places.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has traversed the earth.
10 So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
Therefore, my people will be converted here, and fullness of days will be found in them.
11 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
And they said, “How would God know?” and, “Isn’t there knowledge in high places?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Behold, these are sinners, and, abounding in this age, they have obtained riches.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
And I said: So then, it is without purpose that I have justified my heart and washed my hands among the innocent.
14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
And I have been scourged all day long, and I have received my chastisement in the mornings.
15 If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
If I were to say that I would explain this: Behold, I would condemn this nation of your sons.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
I considered, so that I might know this. It is a hardship before me,
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
until I may enter into the Sanctuary of God, and understand it to its last part.
18 Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
So, because of deceitfulness, truly, you have placed it before them. While they were being lifted up, you were casting them down.
19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
How have they been brought to desolation? They have suddenly failed. They have perished because of their iniquity.
20 Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
As a dream is to those who awaken, O Lord, so will you reduce their image to nothing in your city.
21 When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
For my heart has been inflamed, and my temperament has been changed.
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
And so, I have been reduced to nothing, and I did not know it.
23 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
I have become like a beast of burden to you, and I am always with you.
24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
You have held my right hand. And in your will, you have conducted me, and with your glory, you have taken me up.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
For what is there for me in heaven? And what do I wish for on earth before you?
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My body has failed, and my heart: O God of my heart, and God my portion, into eternity.
27 Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
For behold, those who put themselves far from you will perish. You have perished all those who fornicate away from 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 adhere to God, to put my hope in the Lord God, so that I may announce all your prophecies, at the gates of the daughter of Zion.
