Psalm 73- 1
- Psalm 73 A psalm of Asaph.
- 1
- Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
- 2
- But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
- 3
- For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- 4
- They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. [1]
- 5
- They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
- 6
- Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
- 7
- From their callous hearts comes iniquity [2] ; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
- 8
- They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
- 9
- Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
- 10
- Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. [3]
- 11
- They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
- 12
- This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth.
- 13
- Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
- 14
- All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
- 15
- If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children.
- 16
- When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
- 17
- till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
- 18
- Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
- 19
- How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
- 20
- As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
- 21
- When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
- 22
- I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
- 23
- Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
- 24
- You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
- 25
- Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
- 26
- My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- 27
- Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
- 28
- But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
- [4] With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text struggles at their death; their bodies are healthy
- [7] Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew Their eyes bulge with fat
- [10] The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.