Psalms 73

1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are of a pure heart.

A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, [even] to such as are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped;

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3 For I was envious at the arrogant, seeing the prosperity of the wicked.

For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For they have no pangs in their death, and their body is well nourished;

For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5 They have not the hardships of mankind, neither are they plagued like [other] men:

They are not in trouble as [other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.

6 Therefore pride encompasseth them as a neck-chain, violence covereth them [as] a garment;

Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.

7 Their eyes stand out from fatness, they exceed the imaginations of their heart:

Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8 They mock and speak wickedly of oppression, they speak loftily:

They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: they speak loftily.

9 They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 Therefore his people turn hither, and waters in fulness are wrung out to them.

Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out by them.

11 And they say, How can God know, and is there knowledge in the Most High?

And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?

12 Behold, these are the wicked, and they prosper in the world: they heap up riches.

Behold, these are the wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

13 Truly have I purified my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency:

Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;

14 For all the day have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15 If I said, I will speak thus, behold, I should be faithless to the generation of thy children.

If I had said, I will speak thus; behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

16 When I thought to be able to know this, it was a grievous task in mine eyes;

When I thought how I might know this, it was too painful for me;

17 Until I went into the sanctuaries of God; [then] understood I their end.

Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.

18 Truly thou settest them in slippery places, thou castest them down in ruins.

Surely thou settest them in slippery places: thou castest them down to destruction.

19 How are they suddenly made desolate! they pass away, consumed with terrors.

How are they become a desolation in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream, when one awaketh, wilt thou, Lord, on arising despise their image.

As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21 When my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins,

For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins:

22 Then I was brutish and knew nothing; I was [as] a beast with thee.

So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand;

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand.

24 Thou wilt guide me by thy counsel, and after the glory, thou wilt receive me.

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in the heavens? and there is none upon earth I desire beside thee.

Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.

My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

27 For behold, they that are far from thee shall perish; thou destroyest every one that goeth a whoring from thee.

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, that I may declare all thy works.

But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.