Psalms 73
1 God truly is good to [us] Israeli people, to those who totally want to do all that God desires.
“BOOK III. A psalm of Asaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, —To those who are pure in heart.
2 As for me, I almost [stopped trusting in God]; [it was as though] my feet slipped and I stumbled [MET],
Yet my feet almost gave way; My steps had well nigh slipped:
3 because I envied those who proudly [said that they did not need God], and I saw that they prospered [even though] they were wicked.
For I was envious of the proud, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 Those people do not have any pains; they are [always] strong and healthy.
For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.
5 They do not have the troubles/difficulties that other people have; they do not have problems like others do.
They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten like other men.
6 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.
Therefore pride encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.
7 From their inner beings they (pour out/do) evil deeds, and they are always thinking about more evil things to do.
From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.
8 They scoff at [other people], and they talk about doing evil things to them; they are proud while they plan to oppress others.
They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;
9 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.
They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;
10 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.
Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.
11 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].”
And they say, “How doth God know? How can there be knowledge with the Most High?”
12 That is what wicked people are like; they never worry about anything, and they are always becoming richer.
Behold these are the ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up riches.
13 [So, God], I think it is useless that I have [RHQ] always done what you want me to, and that I have not sinned.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have problems, and every morning you punish me.
For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.
15 If I had said the things that the wicked people say, I would have been sinning against your people.
If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.
16 And when I tried to think about all this, it was very difficult for me [to understand it].
So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;
17 But when I went to your temple, [you spoke to me], and I understood what will happen to the wicked people [after they die].
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.
18 [Now I know that] you will surely put them in slippery places, and they will fall down and die.
Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.
19 They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways.
How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!
20 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).
As a dream when one awaketh, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.
21 When I felt sad/bitter, and brokenhearted,
When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,
22 I was stupid and ignorant, and I behaved like an animal toward you.
Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.
23 But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand.
Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.
24 You guide me by teaching me, and (at the end [of my life]/when I die), you will receive me and honor me.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last receive me in glory.
25 You are in heaven and I belong to you [RHQ], and there is nothing on this earth that I desire more than that.
Whom have I in heaven but thee, And whom on earth do I love in comparison with thee?
26 My body and my mind may become very weak, but God, you continue to enable me to be strong; I belong to you forever.
Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 Those who remain far from you will be destroyed; you will get rid of those who abandon you.
For, lo! they who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves from thee.
28 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].
But it is good for me to draw near to God; I put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, That I may declare all thy works.
