< Psalms 73 >

1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
A Psalm of Asaph. Surely 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.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment.
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11 And they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of your children.
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 Surely you did set them in slippery places: you casted them down into destruction.
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one awakes; so, O Lord, when you awake, you shall despise their image.
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before you.
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with you: you have held me by my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 You shall guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside you.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from you shall perish: you have destroyed all them that go a whoring from you.
Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
28 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 your works.
But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.

< Psalms 73 >