Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
BOOK THIRD: “A Psalm of Assaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure of heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
But as for me, it lacked but little that my feet had been moved: almost nothing was needed that my steps had slipped.
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
For there are no deadly fetters for them, but their strength is firm.
5 They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
They share not in the trouble of mortals, and with men are they not afflicted.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
Therefore is pride their neck-chain: violence envelopeth them as a garment.
7 From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
Their eyes start out from fatness: they have exceeded their heart's imaginings.
8 They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
They scorn, and speak wickedly of oppression: loftily do they speak.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh busily on the earth.
10 So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
Therefore do his people turn away hither: and waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
And they say, How should God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Behold, these are the wicked; and yet prospering continually they increase in wealth.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
Verily in vain have I thus cleansed my heart, and have washed in innocency my hands:
14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
While I was afflicted all the day, and my chastisement [came] every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
But if I were to say, I will speak thus: behold, I would be treacherous against the generation of thy children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
And when I should think to know this, it would be trouble in my eyes;
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
Until I enter into the sanctuary of God; and understand what their future will be.
18 Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
Surely thou placest them on slippery spots: thou lettest them fall down into destruction.
19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they perish, they come to their end with terrific events.
20 Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
As a dream after awaking, O Lord, reject thou in wrath their image.
21 When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
For it fermented in my heart, and in my reins I felt sharp thrusts;
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
But I was indeed foolish, and I knew it not: I was as a [thoughtless] beast with thee.
23 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast seized hold of me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
With thy counsel wilt thou guide me, and afterward take me on to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
Whom have I in heaven? and beside thee I desire nothing upon earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Though my flesh and my heart should fall; yet the rock of my heart, and my portion will be God for ever.
27 Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
For, lo, those that are far from thee shall perish: thou destroyest every one that strayeth away from thee.
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 as regardeth me, to draw near to God is good for me: I have put in the Lord Eternal my trust, that I may relate all thy works.
