Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean 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 foolish, [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 afflicted like [other] men.
They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 Therefore pride encompasseth them as a chain; 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 are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouth against 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 to 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 ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.
Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, 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 have I been afflicted, and chastened every morning.
For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] 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 to 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; [then] I understood their end.
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast them down into destruction.
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How are they [brought] into desolation, as 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 wilt despise their image.
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 So foolish [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 held [me] by my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 Thou wilt 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 besides 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 astray 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 to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare 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.
