Psalms 73
1 BOOK III A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart.
God truly is good to [us] Israeli people, to those who totally want to do all that God desires.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
As for me, I almost [stopped trusting in God]; [it was as though] my feet slipped and I stumbled [MET],
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
because I envied those who proudly [said that they did not need God], and I saw that they prospered [even though] they were wicked.
4 For there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
Those people do not have any pains; they are [always] strong and healthy.
5 In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
They do not have the troubles/difficulties that other people have; they do not have problems like others do.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
So they are proud, and their being proud is [like] a necklace [that they show to others], and they show off their violent actions like people show off their beautiful robes.
7 Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
From their inner beings they (pour out/do) evil deeds, and they are always thinking about more evil things to do.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
They scoff at [other people], and they talk about doing evil things to them; they are proud while they plan to oppress others.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They say evil things about [God who is in] heaven [MTY], and they talk boastfully/proudly about things [that they have done] here on the earth.
10 Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
The result is that people listen to what they say and praise them and do not think that they have done anything that is wrong.
11 And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
Wicked people say [to themselves], “God will certainly not [RHQ] know [what we have done]; [people say that] he is greater than any other god, but he does not know [everything].”
12 Behold, such are the wicked; and they that are always at ease increase riches.
That is what wicked people are like; they never worry about anything, and they are always becoming richer.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
[So, God], I think it is useless that I have [RHQ] always done what you want me to, and that I have not sinned.
14 For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came every morning.
All day long I have problems, and every morning you punish me.
15 If I had said: 'I will speak thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
If I had said the things that the wicked people say, I would have been sinning against your people.
16 And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
And when I tried to think about all this, it was very difficult for me [to understand it].
17 Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
But when I went to your temple, [you spoke to me], and I understood what will happen to the wicked people [after they die].
18 Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
[Now I know that] you will surely put them in slippery places, and they will fall down and die.
19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are wholly consumed by terrors.
They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways.
20 As a dream when one awaketh, so, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.
They [will disappear as quickly] as a dream disappears when a person awakes in the morning; Lord, when you arise, you will (cause them to disappear/forget all about them).
21 For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
When I felt sad/bitter, and brokenhearted,
22 But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
I was stupid and ignorant, and I behaved like an animal toward you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand.
24 Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with glory.
You guide me by teaching me, and (at the end [of my life]/when I die), you will receive me and honor me.
25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.
You are in heaven and I belong to you [RHQ], and there is nothing on this earth that I desire more than that.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.
My body and my mind may become very weak, but God, you continue to enable me to be strong; I belong to you forever.
27 For, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish; Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.
Those who remain far from you will be destroyed; you will get rid of those who abandon 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 wonderful to be near to God and to be protected by Yahweh, and to proclaim to others all that he has done [for me].
