Psalms 73
1 A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those with a pure heart.
A Psalm. Of Asaph. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean 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 had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;
3 because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
4 For they have no pain until their death, but they are strong and well fed.
For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
5 They are free from the burdens of other men; they are not afflicted like other men.
They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.
6 Pride adorns them like a necklace around their neck; violence clothes them like a robe.
For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.
7 Out of such blindness comes sin; evil thoughts pass through their hearts.
Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
8 They mock and speak wickedly; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongues march through the earth.
Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn to them and abundant waters are drained out.
For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.
11 They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?”
And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Take notice: these people are wicked; they are always carefree, becoming richer and richer.
Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
13 Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart and washed my hands in innocence.
As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
14 For all the day long I have been afflicted and disciplined every morning.
For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.
15 If I had said, “I will say these things,” then I would have betrayed this generation of your children.
If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
16 Though I tried to understand these things, it was too difficult for me.
When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
17 Then I went into God's sanctuary and came to understand their fate.
Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.
18 Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.
You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.
19 How they become a wilderness in a moment! They come to an end and are finished in awful terrors.
How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
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 is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.
21 For my heart was grieved, and I was deeply wounded.
My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
22 I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was like a senseless animal before you.
As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.
But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with your advice and afterward receive me to glory.
Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.
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 you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart forever.
My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you will destroy all those who are unfaithful to you.
For those who are far away from you will come to destruction: you will put an end to all those who have not kept faith with you.
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 it is good for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.
