Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
God truly is good to [us] Israeli people, to those who totally want to do all that God desires.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
As for me, I almost [stopped trusting in God]; [it was as though] my feet slipped and I stumbled [MET],
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
because I envied those who proudly [said that they did not need God], and I saw that they prospered [even though] they were wicked.
4 They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
Those people do not have any pains; they are [always] strong and healthy.
5 They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
They do not have the troubles/difficulties that other people have; they do not have problems like others do.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
So they are proud, and their being proud is [like] a necklace [that they show to others], and they show off their violent actions like people show off their beautiful robes.
7 From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
From their inner beings they (pour out/do) evil deeds, and they are always thinking about more evil things to do.
8 They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
They scoff at [other people], and they talk about doing evil things to them; they are proud while they plan to oppress others.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
They say evil things about [God who is in] heaven [MTY], and they talk boastfully/proudly about things [that they have done] here on the earth.
10 So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
The result is that people listen to what they say and praise them and do not think that they have done anything that is wrong.
11 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
Wicked people say [to themselves], “God will certainly not [RHQ] know [what we have done]; [people say that] he is greater than any other god, but he does not know [everything].”
12 Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
That is what wicked people are like; they never worry about anything, and they are always becoming richer.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
[So, God], I think it is useless that I have [RHQ] always done what you want me to, and that I have not sinned.
14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
All day long I have problems, and every morning you punish me.
15 If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
If I had said the things that the wicked people say, I would have been sinning against your people.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
And when I tried to think about all this, it was very difficult for me [to understand it].
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
But when I went to your temple, [you spoke to me], and I understood what will happen to the wicked people [after they die].
18 Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
[Now I know that] you will surely put them in slippery places, and they will fall down and die.
19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways.
20 Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
They [will disappear as quickly] as a dream disappears when a person awakes in the morning; Lord, when you arise, you will (cause them to disappear/forget all about them).
21 When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
When I felt sad/bitter, and brokenhearted,
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
I was stupid and ignorant, and I behaved like an animal toward you.
23 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand.
24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
You guide me by teaching me, and (at the end [of my life]/when I die), you will receive me and honor me.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
You are in heaven and I belong to you [RHQ], and there is nothing on this earth that I desire more than that.
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 become very weak, but God, you continue to enable me to be strong; I belong to you forever.
27 Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
Those who remain far from you will be destroyed; you will get rid of those who abandon 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 [as for] me, it is wonderful to be near to God and to be protected by Yahweh, and to proclaim to others all that he has done [for me].
