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 of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had almost slipped.
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious at the foolish, 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 pangs in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they afflicted like other men.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
Therefore pride surroundeth them as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
Therefore his people return here: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
And they say, How doth 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 ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came every morning.
For all the day long have I been afflicted, and chastened every morning.
15 If I had said: 'I will speak thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
18 Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast them 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 are utterly consumed with terrors.
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; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast held me by my right hand.
24 Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with glory.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to 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 there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
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 faileth: but 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 that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go astray 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 have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
