Psalms 73
1 A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those with a pure 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 almost slipped; my feet almost slipped out from under me
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3 because I was envious of 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 they have no pain until their death, but they are strong and well fed.
They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
5 They are free from the burdens of other men; they are not afflicted like other men.
They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 Pride adorns them like a necklace around their neck; violence clothes them like a robe.
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
7 Out of such blindness comes sin; evil thoughts pass through their hearts.
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8 They mock and speak wickedly; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongues march through the earth.
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn to them and abundant waters are drained out.
So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11 They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?”
The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12 Take notice: these people are wicked; they are always carefree, becoming richer and richer.
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart and washed my hands in innocence.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
14 For all the day long I have been afflicted and disciplined every morning.
For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will say these things,” then I would have betrayed this generation of your children.
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
16 Though I tried to understand these things, it was too difficult for me.
When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
17 Then I went into God's sanctuary and came to understand their fate.
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How they become a wilderness in a moment! They come to an end and are finished in awful terrors.
How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
20 They are like a dream after one wakes up; Lord, when you arise, you will think nothing of those dreams.
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 For my heart was grieved, and I was deeply wounded.
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was like a senseless animal before you.
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 You will guide me with your advice 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 you? There is no one on earth that I desire but you.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart forever.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you will destroy all those who are unfaithful to you.
Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
28 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.
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.
