Psalms 73
1 BOOK III A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart.
BOOK THIRD: “A Psalm of Assaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure of heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
But as for me, it lacked but little that my feet had been moved: almost nothing was needed that my steps had slipped.
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
For there are no deadly fetters for them, but their strength is firm.
5 In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
They share not in the trouble of mortals, and with men are they not afflicted.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
Therefore is pride their neck-chain: violence envelopeth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
Their eyes start out from fatness: they have exceeded their heart's imaginings.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
They scorn, and speak wickedly of oppression: loftily do they speak.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh busily on the earth.
10 Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
Therefore do his people turn away hither: and waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
And they say, How should God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, such are the wicked; and they that are always at ease increase riches.
Behold, these are the wicked; and yet prospering continually they increase in wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
Verily in vain have I thus cleansed my heart, and have washed in innocency my hands:
14 For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came every morning.
While I was afflicted all the day, and my chastisement [came] every morning.
15 If I had said: 'I will speak thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
But if I were to say, I will speak thus: behold, I would be treacherous against the generation of thy children.
16 And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
And when I should think to know this, it would be trouble in my eyes;
17 Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
Until I enter into the sanctuary of God; and understand what their future will be.
18 Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
Surely thou placest them on slippery spots: thou lettest them fall down into destruction.
19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are wholly consumed by terrors.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they perish, they come to their end with terrific events.
20 As a dream when one awaketh, so, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.
As a dream after awaking, O Lord, reject thou in wrath their image.
21 For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
For it fermented in my heart, and in my reins I felt sharp thrusts;
22 But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
But I was indeed foolish, and I knew it not: I was as a [thoughtless] beast with thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast seized hold of me by my right hand.
24 Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with glory.
With thy counsel wilt thou guide me, and afterward take me on to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.
Whom have I in heaven? and beside thee I desire nothing upon earth.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.
Though my flesh and my heart should fall; yet the rock of my heart, and my portion will be God for ever.
27 For, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish; Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.
For, lo, those that are far from thee shall perish: thou destroyest every one that strayeth away from thee.
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 regardeth me, to draw near to God is good for me: I have put in the Lord Eternal my trust, that I may relate all thy works.
