Psalms 73
1 Truly Elohim is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
A psalm of Asaph. Yes, God is good to the upright, the Lord to the pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
But my feet were almost gone, my steps had nearly slipped,
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
through envy of godless braggarts, when I saw how well they fared.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
For never a pang have they, their body is sound and sleek.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
They have no trouble like mortals, no share in human pain.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
So they wear their pride like a necklace, they put on the garment of wrong,
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
their eyes stand out with fatness, their heart swells with riotous fancies.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Their speech is mocking and evil, condescending and crooked their speech.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They have set their mouth in the heavens, while their tongue struts about on the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Small wonder that people resort to them, and drink deep draughts of their lore.
11 And they say, How doth El know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
“How does God know?” they say, “And has the Most High any knowledge?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
See! These are the godless, with wealth and ease ever increasing.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Yes, in vain have I kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence;
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
for all the day long was I plagued not a morning but I was chastised.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
But to resolve to speak like they do would be treachery to your children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
So I sought to understand it, but a wearisome task it seemed:
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of El; then understood I their end.
till I entered the holy world of God and saw clearly their destiny.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
Yes, you set them on slippery places; down to destruction you hurl them.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
One moment and then what a horror of ruin! They are finished and ended in terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O YHWH, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Like a dream, when one wakes, shall they be, whose phantoms the waker despises.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
So my bitterness of mind and the pain that stabbed my heart
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
show how dull I was and stupid just like a beast before you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
But I am always with you, you have hold of my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
By a plan of yours you guide me and will afterward take me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Whom have I in the heavens but you? And on earth there is none I desire beside you.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but Elohim is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Though flesh and heart waste away, yet God is the rock of my heart, yet God is my portion forever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
For see! Those who are far from you must perish, you destroy all who are false to you.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to Elohim: I have put my trust in the Sovereign YHWH, that I may declare all thy works.
But I am happy when close to God; the Lord my God I have made my refuge, that I may recount all the things you have done.
