Psalmorum 73
1 Psalmus Asaph. Quam bonus Israël Deus, his qui recto sunt corde!
“BOOK III. A psalm of Asaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, —To those who are pure in heart.
2 Mei autem pene moti sunt pedes, pene effusi sunt gressus mei:
Yet my feet almost gave way; My steps had well nigh slipped:
3 quia zelavi super iniquos, pacem peccatorum videns.
For I was envious of the proud, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 Quia non est respectus morti eorum, et firmamentum in plaga eorum.
For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.
5 In labore hominum non sunt, et cum hominibus non flagellabuntur.
They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten like other men.
6 Ideo tenuit eos superbia; operti sunt iniquitate et impietate sua.
Therefore pride encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Prodiit quasi ex adipe iniquitas eorum; transierunt in affectum cordis.
From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.
8 Cogitaverunt et locuti sunt nequitiam; iniquitatem in excelso locuti sunt.
They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;
9 Posuerunt in cælum os suum, et lingua eorum transivit in terra.
They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;
10 Ideo convertetur populus meus hic, et dies pleni invenientur in eis.
Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.
11 Et dixerunt: Quomodo scit Deus, et si est scientia in excelso?
And they say, “How doth God know? How can there be knowledge with the Most High?”
12 Ecce ipsi peccatores, et abundantes in sæculo obtinuerunt divitias.
Behold these are the ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up riches.
13 Et dixi: Ergo sine causa justificavi cor meum, et lavi inter innocentes manus meas,
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 et fui flagellatus tota die, et castigatio mea in matutinis.
For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.
15 Si dicebam: Narrabo sic; ecce nationem filiorum tuorum reprobavi.
If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.
16 Existimabam ut cognoscerem hoc; labor est ante me:
So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;
17 donec intrem in sanctuarium Dei, et intelligam in novissimis eorum.
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.
18 Verumtamen propter dolos posuisti eis; dejecisti eos dum allevarentur.
Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.
19 Quomodo facti sunt in desolationem? subito defecerunt: perierunt propter iniquitatem suam.
How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!
20 Velut somnium surgentium, Domine, in civitate tua imaginem ipsorum ad nihilum rediges.
As a dream when one awaketh, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.
21 Quia inflammatum est cor meum, et renes mei commutati sunt;
When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,
22 et ego ad nihilum redactus sum, et nescivi:
Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.
23 ut jumentum factus sum apud te, et ego semper tecum.
Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.
24 Tenuisti manum dexteram meam, et in voluntate tua deduxisti me, et cum gloria suscepisti me.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last receive me in glory.
25 Quid enim mihi est in cælo? et a te quid volui super terram?
Whom have I in heaven but thee, And whom on earth do I love in comparison with thee?
26 Defecit caro mea et cor meum; Deus cordis mei, et pars mea, Deus in æternum.
Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 Quia ecce qui elongant se a te peribunt; perdidisti omnes qui fornicantur abs te.
For, lo! they who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves from thee.
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 draw near to God; I put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, That I may declare all thy works.
