Psalms 73

1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

Surely God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.

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

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

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

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

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

For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.

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

They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men.

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

Therefore pride is as a chain around their neck. Violence covers them as a garment.

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

Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish.

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

They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression. They speak loftily.

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

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

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

Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them.

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

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

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

Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth.

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

Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,

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

for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened 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 speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of thy sons.

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

When I thought how I might understand this, it was too painful for me,

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

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

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

Surely thou set them in slippery places. Thou cast them down to destruction.

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

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

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

As a dream from awakening, O Lord, when thou waken, thou will despise their form.

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

For my soul was grieved, and I was pricked in my heart.

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

So I was brutish, and ignorant. I was a beast before thee.

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

Nevertheless I am continually with thee. Thou have held my right hand.

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

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

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

Whom have I in heaven? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides 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 fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

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

For, lo, those who are far from thee shall perish. Thou have destroyed all those who go a whoring from thee.

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 it is good for me to draw near to God. I have made the lord Jehovah my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.