Psalmorum 73
1 Psalmus Asaph. [Quam bonus Israël Deus, his qui recto sunt corde!
A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 Mei autem pene moti sunt pedes, pene effusi sunt gressus mei:
But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
3 quia zelavi super iniquos, pacem peccatorum videns.
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 Quia non est respectus morti eorum, et firmamentum in plaga eorum.
For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
5 In labore hominum non sunt, et cum hominibus non flagellabuntur.
They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Ideo tenuit eos superbia; operti sunt iniquitate et impietate sua.
Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Prodiit quasi ex adipe iniquitas eorum; transierunt in affectum cordis.
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8 Cogitaverunt et locuti sunt nequitiam; iniquitatem in excelso locuti sunt.
They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9 Posuerunt in cælum os suum, et lingua eorum transivit in terra.
They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Ideo convertetur populus meus hic, et dies pleni invenientur in eis.
Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
11 Et dixerunt: Quomodo scit Deus, et si est scientia in excelso?
They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Ecce ipsi peccatores, et abundantes in sæculo obtinuerunt divitias.
Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13 Et dixi: Ergo sine causa justificavi cor meum, et lavi inter innocentes manus meas,
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,
14 et fui flagellatus tota die, et castigatio mea in matutinis.
For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.
15 Si dicebam: Narrabo sic; ecce nationem filiorum tuorum reprobavi.
If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 Existimabam ut cognoscerem hoc; labor est ante me:
When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—
17 donec intrem in sanctuarium Dei, et intelligam in novissimis eorum.
until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
18 Verumtamen propter dolos posuisti eis; dejecisti eos dum allevarentur.
Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
19 Quomodo facti sunt in desolationem? subito defecerunt: perierunt propter iniquitatem suam.
How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20 Velut somnium surgentium, Domine, in civitate tua imaginem ipsorum ad nihilum rediges.
As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21 Quia inflammatum est cor meum, et renes mei commutati sunt;
For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22 et ego ad nihilum redactus sum, et nescivi:
I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23 ut jumentum factus sum apud te, et ego semper tecum.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
24 Tenuisti manum dexteram meam, et in voluntate tua deduxisti me, et cum gloria suscepisti me.
You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Quid enim mihi est in cælo? et a te quid volui super terram?
Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
26 Defecit caro mea et cor meum; Deus cordis mei, et pars mea, Deus in æternum.
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Quia ecce qui elongant se a te peribunt; perdidisti omnes qui fornicantur abs te.
For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
28 Mihi autem adhærere Deo bonum est; ponere in Domino Deo spem meam: ut annuntiem omnes prædicationes tuas in portis filiæ Sion.]
But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
