Psalms 73
1 BOOK THIRD: “A Psalm of Assaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure of heart.
A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those with a pure heart.
2 But as for me, it lacked but little that my feet had been moved: almost nothing was needed that my steps had slipped.
But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slipped out from under me
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no deadly fetters for them, but their strength is firm.
For they have no pain until their death, but they are strong and well fed.
5 They share not in the trouble of mortals, and with men are they not afflicted.
They are free from the burdens of other men; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 Therefore is pride their neck-chain: violence envelopeth them as a garment.
Pride adorns them like a necklace around their neck; violence clothes them like a robe.
7 Their eyes start out from fatness: they have exceeded their heart's imaginings.
Out of such blindness comes sin; evil thoughts pass through their hearts.
8 They scorn, and speak wickedly of oppression: loftily do they speak.
They mock and speak wickedly; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh busily on the earth.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongues march through the earth.
10 Therefore do his people turn away hither: and waters of a full cup are drained by them.
Therefore his people turn to them and abundant waters are drained out.
11 And they say, How should God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked; and yet prospering continually they increase in wealth.
Take notice: these people are wicked; they are always carefree, becoming richer and richer.
13 Verily in vain have I thus cleansed my heart, and have washed in innocency my hands:
Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart and washed my hands in innocence.
14 While I was afflicted all the day, and my chastisement [came] every morning.
For all the day long I have been afflicted and disciplined every morning.
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, “I will say these things,” then I would have betrayed this generation of your children.
16 And when I should think to know this, it would be trouble in my eyes;
Though I tried to understand these things, it was too difficult for me.
17 Until I enter into the sanctuary of God; and understand what their future will be.
Then I went into God's sanctuary and came to understand their fate.
18 Surely thou placest them on slippery spots: thou lettest them fall down into destruction.
Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they perish, they come to their end with terrific events.
How they become a wilderness in a moment! They come to an end and are finished in awful terrors.
20 As a dream after awaking, O Lord, reject thou in wrath their image.
They are like a dream after one wakes up; Lord, when you arise, you will think nothing of those dreams.
21 For it fermented in my heart, and in my reins I felt sharp thrusts;
For my heart was grieved, and I was deeply wounded.
22 But I was indeed foolish, and I knew it not: I was as a [thoughtless] beast with thee.
I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was like a senseless animal before you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast seized hold of me by my right hand.
Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.
24 With thy counsel wilt thou guide me, and afterward take me on to glory.
You will guide me with your advice and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven? and beside thee I desire nothing upon earth.
Whom have I in heaven but you? There is no one on earth that I desire but you.
26 Though my flesh and my heart should fall; yet the rock of my heart, and my portion will be God for ever.
My flesh and my heart grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart forever.
27 For, lo, those that are far from thee shall perish: thou destroyest every one that strayeth away from thee.
Those who are far from you will perish; you will destroy all those who are unfaithful to 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, all I need to do is to approach God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge. I will declare all your deeds.
