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. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean 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 gone from under me; I was near to slipping;
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
4 For there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
5 In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.
7 Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.
10 Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.
11 And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, such are the wicked; and they that are always at ease increase riches.
Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
14 For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came every morning.
For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.
15 If I had said: 'I will speak thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
16 And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
17 Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.
18 Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.
19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are wholly consumed by terrors.
How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
20 As a dream when one awaketh, so, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.
As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.
21 For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
22 But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.
24 Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with glory.
Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.
25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.
Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.
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 are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.
27 For, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish; Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.
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.
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 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.
