Psalms 73
1 A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those with a pure heart.
BOOK III A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as 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 were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 because I was envious of the arrogant 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 they have no pain until their death, but they are strong and well fed.
For there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
5 They are free from the burdens of other men; they are not afflicted like other men.
In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
6 Pride adorns them like a necklace around their neck; violence clothes them like a robe.
Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Out of such blindness comes sin; evil thoughts pass through their hearts.
Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
8 They mock and speak wickedly; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongues march through the earth.
They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn to them and abundant waters are drained out.
Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
11 They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?”
And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
12 Take notice: these people are wicked; they are always carefree, becoming richer and richer.
Behold, such are the wicked; and they that are always at ease increase riches.
13 Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart and washed my hands in innocence.
Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
14 For all the day long I have been afflicted and disciplined every morning.
For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came 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 thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
16 Though I tried to understand these things, it was too difficult for me.
And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
17 Then I went into God's sanctuary and came to understand their fate.
Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
18 Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.
Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
19 How they become a wilderness in a moment! They come to an end and are finished in awful terrors.
How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are wholly consumed by terrors.
20 They are like a dream after one wakes up; Lord, when you arise, you will think nothing of those dreams.
As a dream when one awaketh, so, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.
21 For my heart was grieved, and I was deeply wounded.
For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was like a senseless animal before you.
But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.
Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
24 You will guide me with your advice and afterward receive me to glory.
Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with 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 Thee? And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.
26 My flesh and my heart grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart forever.
My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you will destroy all those who are unfaithful to you.
For, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish; Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.
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, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works.
