73:1 A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
73:2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
73:3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
73:4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
73:5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
73:7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
73:8 They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
73:9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
73:10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
73:11 They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
73:12 This is what the wicked are like–always carefree, they increase in wealth.
73:13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
73:14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
73:15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children.
73:16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
73:17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
73:18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
73:19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
73:20 As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
73:21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
73:22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
73:23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
73:27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
73:28 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.
73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, / To those who are pure in heart.
73:2 But as for me, my feet were nearly turned aside; / My steps had almost slipped.
73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant, / When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
73:4 For they have no pangs in their death, / And their body is well nourished.
73:5 They do not find themselves in the hardship of men, / Nor are they plagued like other men.
73:6 Therefore pride is a necklace for them, / Violence covers them like a garment.
73:7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness; / The imaginations of their heart overflow.
73:8 They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; / They speak loftily.
73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, / And their tongue walks about on the earth.
73:10 Therefore His people return here, / And waters of abundance are drained by them;
73:11 And they say, How does God know? / And is there knowledge with the Most High?
73:12 Behold, these are the wicked; / And always at ease, they heap up riches.
73:13 Surely I have purified my heart in vain, / And I have washed my hands in innocence.
73:14 For I have been plagued all day long / And chastened 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 considered this in order to understand it, / It was a troublesome task in my sight,
73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; / Then I perceived their end.
73:18 Surely You set them in slippery places; / You cast them down into ruins.
73:19 How they are made desolate in a moment! / They are utterly consumed by terrors.
73:20 Like a dream, when one awakes, You, O Lord, / Upon arising, will despise their image.
73:21 When my heart was embittered, / And inwardly I was pricked;
73:22 I was brutish and knew nothing; / I was like a beast before You.
73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; / You have taken hold of my right hand.
73:24 You will guide me with Your counsel, / And afterward You will receive me in glory.
73:25 Whom do I have in heaven but You? / And besides You there is nothing I desire on earth.
73:26 My flesh and my heart fail, / But God is the rock of my heart and my portion forever.
73:27 For behold, those who are far from You will perish; / You destroy all who go about as harlots away from You.
73:28 But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me; / I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, / That I may declare all Your works.