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, to those whose minds are pure.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
But I was stumbling, my feet were starting to slide,
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
because I was jealous of self-important people—I saw how well the wicked were doing.
4 They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
They don't ever seem to get sick; they are strong and healthy.
5 They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
They don't have problems like other people; they don't get hit by disasters like everybody else.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
They wear their pride like a necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
Their eyes bulge out because they're so fat; their minds are full of selfish vanity.
8 They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
They mock people, and speak maliciously; they arrogantly threaten cruelty.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
They talk irreverently against heaven above, and defame people here on earth.
10 So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
As a result people turn to them and drink in everything they say.
11 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
“God won't find out,” they say. “The Most High doesn't even know what's going on!”
12 Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Look at these wicked people! They don't have a care in the world, and they're always making money!
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
It's been pointless to keep my mind pure and my hands clean.
14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
I'm cursed with suffering all day long; every morning I'm punished.
15 If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
If I'd talked like this to others, I would have betrayed your people.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
So I thought about it and tried to understand, but it looked like a lot of hard work to me—
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
until I went into God's Temple. Then I understood what happens to the wicked in the end.
18 Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
For you send them on a slippery path; you throw them down to destruction.
19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
How quickly they're destroyed! They come to a terrifying end.
20 Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
Like waking up from a dream, Lord—when you get up you will forget all about them!
21 When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
At that time my thoughts were bitter. I felt like I had been stabbed.
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
I was stupid and ignorant. I was like a brute beast to you.
23 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
Yet I'm always with you; you hold me by the hand.
24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
You tell me what to do; and ultimately you will welcome me in glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
Who is there in heaven for me except you? And I want nothing on earth except you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My body and my mind may fail, but God is the foundation of my life. He is mine forever!
27 Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
Those people who are far from God will die. You destroy all those unfaithful to 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 I love to stay close to God! I have chosen the Lord God to protect me. I will share all that you have done.
