Psalms 73

1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean 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 foolish, [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 bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.

Those people do not have any pains; they are [always] strong and healthy.

5 They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.

They do not have the troubles/difficulties that other people have; they do not have problems like others do.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; 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 out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

From their inner beings they (pour out/do) evil deeds, and they are always thinking about more evil things to do.

8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.

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 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 a full [cup] are wrung out to 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, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.

That is what wicked people are like; they never worry about anything, and they are always becoming richer.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, 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 long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

All day long I have problems, and every morning you punish me.

15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] 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 When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;

And when I tried to think about all this, it was very difficult for me [to understand it].

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I 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 didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

[Now I know that] you will surely put them in slippery places, and they will fall down and die.

19 How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways.

20 As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

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 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

When I felt sad/bitter, and brokenhearted,

22 So foolish [was] I, 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 hast holden [me] by my right hand.

But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] 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 [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.

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 strength 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 are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

Those who remain far from you will be destroyed; you will get rid of those who abandon 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 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].