Psalms 73
1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean 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 foolish, 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 bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment.
Therefore pride encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.
They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;
10 Therefore his people return here: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.
11 And they say, How does 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, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Behold these are the ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of your children.
If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.
18 Surely you did set them in slippery places: you casted them down into destruction.
Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!
20 As a dream when one awakes; so, O Lord, when you awake, you shall despise their image.
As a dream when one awaketh, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before you.
Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with you: you have held me by my right hand.
Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.
24 You shall guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last 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 thee, And whom on earth do I love in comparison with thee?
26 My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength 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 are far from you shall perish: you have destroyed all them that go a whoring from you.
For, lo! they who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves from thee.
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 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.
