Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean 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 were almost gone; my steps had almost slipped.
But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;
3 For I was envious at the foolish, 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 there are no pangs in their death: but their strength is firm.
For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they afflicted like other men.
They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.
6 Therefore pride surroundeth them as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
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 tongue walketh through the earth.
Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
14 For all the day long have I been afflicted, and chastened every morning.
For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast them down into destruction.
You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast held me by my right hand.
But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, 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 thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.
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 are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go astray from thee.
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 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 come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.
