Psalms 73
1 A Psalm. Of Asaph. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean in heart.
A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3 Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
5 They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.
They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8 Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10 For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.
So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11 And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?
The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12 Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
14 For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.
For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15 If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
16 When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
17 Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
23 But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.
You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 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.
Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
28 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.
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.
