Psalm 73
Reading edition
A Psalm by Asaph.
73:1 Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone.
My steps had nearly slipped.
73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant,
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
73:4 For there are no struggles in their death,
but their strength is firm.
73:5 They are free from burdens of men,
neither are they plagued like other men.
73:6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck.
Violence covers them like a garment.
73:7 Their eyes bulge with fat.
Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
73:8 They scoff and speak with malice.
In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
73:9 They have set their mouth in the heavens.
Their tongue walks through the earth.
73:10 Therefore their people return to them,
and they drink up waters of abundance.
73:11 They say, "How does God know?
Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
73:12 Behold, these are the wicked.
Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
73:13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart,
and washed my hands in innocence,
73:14 For all day long have I been plagued,
and punished every morning.
73:15 If I had said, "I will speak thus;"
behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
73:16 When I tried to understand this,
it was too painful for me;
73:17 Until I entered God's sanctuary,
and considered their latter end.
73:18 Surely you set them in slippery places.
You throw them down to destruction.
73:19 How they are suddenly destroyed!
They are completely swept away with terrors.
73:20 As a dream when one wakes up,
so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
73:21 For my soul was grieved.
I was embittered in my heart.
73:22 I was so senseless and ignorant.
I was a brute beast before you.
73:23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you.
You have held my right hand.
73:24 You will guide me with your counsel,
and afterward receive me to glory.
73:25 Who do I have in heaven?
There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.
73:26 My flesh and my heart fails,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
73:27 For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish.
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
73:28 But it is good for me to come close to God.
I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.