Psalms 73
1 A Psalm for Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to the upright in heart!
God truly is good to [us] Israeli people, to those who totally want to do all that God desires.
2 But my feet were almost overthrown; my goings very 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 was jealous of the transgressors, beholding the tranquillity of sinners.
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 For there is no sign of reluctance in their death: and [they have] firmness under their affliction.
Those people do not have any pains; they are [always] strong and healthy.
5 They are not in the troubles of [other] men; and they shall not be scourged with [other] men.
They do not have the troubles/difficulties that other people have; they do not have problems like others do.
6 Therefore pride has possessed them; they have clothed themselves with their injustice and ungodliness.
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 Their injustice shall go forth as out of fatness: they have fulfilled their intention.
From their inner beings they (pour out/do) evil deeds, and they are always thinking about more evil things to do.
8 They have taken counsel and spoken in wickedness: they have uttered unrighteousness loftily.
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 have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has gone through upon 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 Therefore shall my people return hither: and full days shall be found with them.
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 And they said, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
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 sinners, and they that prosper always: they have possessed wealth.
That is what wicked people are like; they never worry about anything, and they are always becoming richer.
13 And I said, Verily in vain have I justified my heart, and washed my hands in innocency.
[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 was plagued all the day, and my reproof [was] every morning.
All day long I have problems, and every morning you punish me.
15 If I said, I will speak thus; behold, I [should] have broken covenant with the generation of your children.
If I had said the things that the wicked people say, I would have been sinning against your people.
16 And I undertook to understand this, [but] it is too hard for me,
And when I tried to think about all this, it was very difficult for me [to understand it].
17 until I go into the sanctuary of God; [and so] understand the latter 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 have appointed [judgements] to them because of their crafty dealings: you have cast them down when they were lifted up.
[Now I know that] you will surely put them in slippery places, and they will fall down and die.
19 How have they become desolate! suddenly they have failed: they have perished because of their iniquity.
They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways.
20 As the dream of one awakening, O Lord, in your city you will despise their image.
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 For my heart has rejoiced, and my reins have been gladdened.
When I felt sad/bitter, and brokenhearted,
22 But I [was] vile and knew not: I became brutish before you.
I was stupid and ignorant, and I behaved like an animal toward you.
23 Yet I am continually with you: you have holden my right hand.
But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand.
24 You have guided me by your counsel, and you have taken me to yourself with 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 For what have I in heaven [but you]? and what have I desired upon the earth beside 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 heart and my flesh have failed: [but] God [is the strength] of my heart, and God is my portion for ever.
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 For, behold, they that remove themselves far from you shall perish: you have destroyed every one that goes a whoring from you.
Those who remain far from you will be destroyed; you will get rid of those who abandon you.
28 But it is good for me to cleave close to God, to put my trust in the Lord; that I may proclaim all your praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
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].
