Psalms 73

1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, [even] to such as are pure in heart.

A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are of 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 were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped;

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

For I was envious at the arrogant, seeing the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

For they have no pangs in their death, and their body is well nourished;

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

They have not the hardships of mankind, neither are they plagued like [other] men:

6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.

Therefore pride encompasseth them as a neck-chain, violence covereth them [as] a garment;

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

Their eyes stand out from fatness, they exceed the imaginations of their heart:

8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: they speak loftily.

They mock and speak wickedly of oppression, they speak loftily:

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

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

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

Therefore his people turn hither, and waters in fulness are wrung out to them.

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

And they say, How can God know, and is there knowledge in the Most High?

12 Behold, these are the wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

Behold, these are the wicked, and they prosper in the world: they heap up riches.

13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;

Truly have I purified my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency:

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

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

15 If I had said, I will speak thus; behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

If I said, I will speak thus, behold, I should be faithless to the generation of thy children.

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

When I thought to be able to know this, it was a grievous task in mine eyes;

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.

Until I went into the sanctuaries of God; [then] understood I their end.

18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: thou castest them down to destruction.

Truly thou settest them in slippery places, thou castest them down in ruins.

19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

How are they suddenly made desolate! they pass away, consumed with terrors.

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

As a dream, when one awaketh, wilt thou, Lord, on arising despise their image.

21 For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins:

When my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins,

22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before thee.

Then I was brutish and knew nothing; I was [as] a beast with thee.

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

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand;

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

Thou wilt guide me by thy counsel, and after the glory, thou wilt receive me.

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

Whom have I in the heavens? and there is none upon earth I desire beside thee.

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 faileth: God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.

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

For behold, they that are far from thee shall perish; thou destroyest every one that goeth a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.

But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, that I may declare all thy works.