Psalms 73

1 God truly is good to [us] Israeli people, to those who totally want to do all that God desires.

A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.

2 As for me, I almost [stopped trusting in God]; [it was as though] my feet slipped and I stumbled [MET],

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; 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 at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 Those people do not have any pains; they are [always] strong and healthy.

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

5 They do not have the troubles/difficulties that other people have; they do not have problems like others do.

They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they afflicted 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 encompasseth them as a chain; 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.

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

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 are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.

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 set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh 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 return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.

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? and is there knowledge in 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, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] 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, and washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have problems, and every morning you punish me.

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

15 If I had said the things that the wicked people say, I would have been sinning against your people.

If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.

16 And when I tried to think about all this, it was very difficult for me [to understand it].

When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;

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 sanctuary of God; [then] I understood their end.

18 [Now I know that] you will surely put them in slippery places, and they will fall down and die.

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast them down into destruction.

19 They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways.

How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

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; [so], O LORD, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

21 When I felt sad/bitter, and brokenhearted,

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22 I was stupid and ignorant, and I behaved like an animal toward you.

So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.

23 But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand.

Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast held [me] by my right hand.

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 afterward receive me [to] 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 [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire besides 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.

My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] 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 that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go astray 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 have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.