Psalms 73

1 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 with a pure heart.

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slipped out from under me

3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

because I was envious of 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 they have no pain until their death, but they are strong and well fed.

5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

They are free from the burdens of other men; they are not afflicted like other men.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

Pride adorns them like a necklace around their neck; violence clothes them like a robe.

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Out of such blindness comes sin; evil thoughts pass through their hearts.

8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

They mock and speak wickedly; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongues march through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

Therefore his people turn to them and abundant waters are drained out.

11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?”

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Take notice: these people are wicked; they are always carefree, becoming richer and richer.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart and washed my hands in innocence.

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

For all the day long I have been afflicted and disciplined 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 say these things,” then I would have betrayed this generation of your children.

16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

Though I tried to understand these things, it was too difficult for me.

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Then I went into God's sanctuary and came to understand their fate.

18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.

19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

How they become a wilderness in a moment! They come to an end and are finished in awful terrors.

20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

They are like a dream after one wakes up; Lord, when you arise, you will think nothing of those dreams.

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

For my heart was grieved, and I was deeply wounded.

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was like a senseless animal before you.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

You will guide me with your advice and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Whom have I in heaven but you? There is no one on earth that I desire but 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 grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart forever.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

Those who are far from you will perish; you will destroy all those 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, all I need to do is to approach God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge. I will declare all your deeds.