Psalms 73
1 BOOK III A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart.
“BOOK III. A psalm of Asaph.” Truly 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.
Yet my feet almost gave way; My steps had well nigh slipped:
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious of the proud, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.
5 In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten like other men.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
Therefore pride encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;
10 Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.
11 And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
And they say, “How doth God know? How can there be knowledge with the Most High?”
12 Behold, such are the wicked; and they that are always at ease increase riches.
Behold these are the ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up riches.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came every morning.
For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.
15 If I had said: 'I will speak thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.
16 And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;
17 Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.
18 Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.
19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are wholly consumed by terrors.
How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden 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 awaketh, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.
21 For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,
22 But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.
24 Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with glory.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last 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 thee, And whom on earth do I love in comparison with thee?
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 fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion 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! they who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves 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 it is good for me to draw near to God; I put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, That I may declare all thy works.
