Psalms 73

1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, [even] to such as are pure in heart.

A Psalm by 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 were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.

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

They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.

Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.

8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: they speak loftily.

They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out by them.

Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.

11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?

They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

12 Behold, these are the wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

For all day long I have been plagued, 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 thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

16 When I thought how I might know this, it was too painful for me;

When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.

until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.

18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: thou castest them down to destruction.

Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.

19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.

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

As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

21 For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins:

For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.

22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before thee.

I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire 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 fails, 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.

For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those 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 it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.