Psalms 73

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

[A Psalm by Asaph.] Surely God is good to Israel, to those who 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 nearly 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 struggles 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 free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.

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

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

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

Their sin proceeds forth from fatness. Their hearts overflow with imaginations.

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

They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

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

They have set their mouth in the heavens. 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 turn to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.

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 in the Most High?"

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

Look, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

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 day long have I been plagued, and punished 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;" look, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

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

When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;

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

Until I entered God's sanctuary, and considered their latter end.

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

Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.

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

How they are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away 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 wakes up, so, LORD, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

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

For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.

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

I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

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

Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.

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

You will guide me with your 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.

Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides 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 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, look, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed 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 it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the LORD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works in the gates of the daughter of Zion.