Psalm Chapter 73 Back NextPsalm 73 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} Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom 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 un
faithful 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.
Psalm Chapter 73 Back Next