Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, [even] to such as are pure in 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 arrogant, 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 is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth 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 scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: they speak loftily.
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out by them.
So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11 And they say, How doth 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 wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
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 had said, I will speak thus; behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
16 When I thought how I might 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, and considered their latter end.
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: thou castest them down to destruction.
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How are they become a desolation 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 awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins:
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before thee.
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy 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 thee]? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [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 thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
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 unto God: I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all thy 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.
