Psalms 73
1 BOOK III A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure 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 were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
5 In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10 Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11 And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12 Behold, such are the wicked; and they that are always at ease increase riches.
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
14 For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came every morning.
For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15 If I had said: 'I will speak thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
16 And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are wholly consumed by terrors.
How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one awaketh, so, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with glory.
You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish; Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.
Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy 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.
