Psalms 73
1 BOOK THIRD: “A Psalm of Assaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure of 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, it lacked but little that my feet had been moved: almost nothing was needed that my steps had 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 arrogant, 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 deadly fetters for them, but their strength is firm.
Those people do not have any pains; they are [always] strong and healthy.
5 They share not in the trouble of mortals, and with men are they not afflicted.
They do not have the troubles/difficulties that other people have; they do not have problems like others do.
6 Therefore is pride their neck-chain: violence envelopeth 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 start out from fatness: they have exceeded their heart's imaginings.
From their inner beings they (pour out/do) evil deeds, and they are always thinking about more evil things to do.
8 They scorn, and speak wickedly of oppression: loftily do they speak.
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 in the heavens, and their tongue walketh busily on 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 do his people turn away hither: and waters of a full cup are drained by 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 should 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 wicked; and yet prospering continually they increase in wealth.
That is what wicked people are like; they never worry about anything, and they are always becoming richer.
13 Verily in vain have I thus cleansed my heart, and have washed in innocency my hands:
[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 While I was afflicted all the day, and my chastisement [came] every morning.
All day long I have problems, and every morning you punish me.
15 But if I were to say, I will speak thus: behold, I would be treacherous 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 And when I should think to know this, it would be trouble in my eyes;
And when I tried to think about all this, it was very difficult for me [to understand it].
17 Until I enter into the sanctuary of God; and understand what their future will be.
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 placest them on slippery spots: thou lettest them fall 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 perish, they come to their end with terrific events.
They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways.
20 As a dream after awaking, O Lord, reject thou in wrath 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 For it fermented in my heart, and in my reins I felt sharp thrusts;
When I felt sad/bitter, and brokenhearted,
22 But I was indeed foolish, and I knew it not: I was as a [thoughtless] beast with thee.
I was stupid and ignorant, and I behaved like an animal toward you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast seized hold of me by my right hand.
But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand.
24 With thy counsel wilt thou guide me, and afterward take me on 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? and beside thee I desire nothing upon earth.
You are in heaven and I belong to you [RHQ], and there is nothing on this earth that I desire more than that.
26 Though my flesh and my heart should fall; yet the rock of my heart, and my portion will be God 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, those that are far from thee shall perish: thou destroyest every one that strayeth away from thee.
Those who remain far from you will be destroyed; you will get rid of those who abandon you.
28 But as regardeth me, to draw near to God is good for me: I have put in the Lord Eternal my trust, that I may relate 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].
