Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.
BOOK THIRD: “A Psalm of Assaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure of heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
But as for me, it lacked but little that my feet had been moved: almost nothing was needed that my steps had slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious at 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 deadly fetters for them, but their strength is firm.
5 They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they afflicted like [other] men.
They share not in the trouble of mortals, and with men are they not afflicted.
6 Therefore pride encompasseth them as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.
Therefore is pride their neck-chain: violence envelopeth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Their eyes start out from fatness: they have exceeded their heart's imaginings.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.
They scorn, and speak wickedly of oppression: loftily do they speak.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh busily on the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.
Therefore do his people turn away hither: and waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
And they say, How should God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.
Behold, these are the wicked; and yet prospering continually they increase in wealth.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
Verily in vain have I thus cleansed my heart, and have washed in innocency my hands:
14 For all the day long have I been afflicted, and chastened every morning.
While I was afflicted all the day, and my chastisement [came] every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.
But if I were to say, I will speak thus: behold, I would be treacherous against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;
And when I should think to know this, it would be trouble in my eyes;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] I understood their end.
Until I enter into the sanctuary of God; and understand what their future will be.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast them down into destruction.
Surely thou placest them on slippery spots: thou lettest them fall down into destruction.
19 How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they perish, they come to their end with terrific events.
20 As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O LORD, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.
As a dream after awaking, O Lord, reject thou in wrath their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
For it fermented in my heart, and in my reins I felt sharp thrusts;
22 So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.
But I was indeed foolish, and I knew it not: I was as a [thoughtless] beast with thee.
23 Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast held [me] by my right hand.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast seized hold of me by my right hand.
24 Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.
With thy counsel wilt thou guide me, and afterward take me on to 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? and beside thee I desire nothing upon earth.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Though my flesh and my heart should fall; yet the rock of my heart, and my portion will be God for ever.
27 For lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go astray from thee.
For, lo, those that are far from thee shall perish: thou destroyest every one that strayeth away from thee.
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 regardeth me, to draw near to God is good for me: I have put in the Lord Eternal my trust, that I may relate all thy works.
