Psalms 73
73
PSALM 73
Common Meter: 8,6,8,6
A Psalm of Asaph.
1Yet God is good to Israel,
to each pure-hearted one.
2But as for me, my steps near slipp'd,
my feet were almost gone.
3For I envious was, and grudg'd
the foolish folk to see,
When I perceiv'd the wicked sort
enjoy prosperity.
4For still their strength continueth firm;
their death of bands is free.
5They are not toil'd like other men,
nor plagu'd, as others be.
6Therefore their pride, like to a chain,
them compasseth about;
And, as a garment, violence
doth cover them throughout.
7Their eyes stand out with fat; they have
more than their hearts could wish.
8They are corrupt; their talk of wrong
both lewd and lofty is.
9They set their mouth against the heav'ns
in their blasphemous talk;
And their reproaching tongue throughout
the earth at large doth walk.
10His people oftentimes for this
look back, and turn about;
Sith waters of so full a cup
to these are poured out.
11And thus they say, How can it be
that God these things doth know?
Or, Can there in the Highest be
knowledge of things below?
12Behold, these are the wicked ones,
yet prosper at their will
In worldly things; they do increase
in wealth and riches still.
13I verily have done in vain
my heart to purify;
To no effect in innocence
washed my hands have I.
14For daily, and all day throughout,
great plagues I suffer'd have;
Yea, ev'ry morning I of new
did chastisement receive.
15If in this manner foolishly
to speak I would intend,
Thy children's generation,
behold, I should offend.
16When I this thought to know, it was
too hard a thing for me;
17Till to God's sanctuary I went,
then I their end did see.
18Assuredly thou didst them set
a slipp'ry place upon;
Them suddenly thou castedst down
into destruction.
19How in a moment suddenly
to ruin brought are they!
With fearful terrors utterly
they are consum'd away.
20Ev'n like unto a dream, when one
from sleeping doth arise;
So thou, O Lord, when thou awak'st,
their image shalt despise.
21Thus grieved was my heart in me,
and me my reins opprest:
22So rude was I, and ignorant,
and in thy sight a beast.
23Nevertheless continually,
O Lord, I am with thee:
Thou dost me hold by my right hand,
and still upholdest me.
24Thou, with thy counsel, while I live,
wilt me conduct and guide;
And to thy glory afterward
receive me to abide.
25Whom have I in the heavens high
but thee, O Lord, alone?
And in the earth whom I desire
besides thee there is none.
26My flesh and heart doth faint and fail,
but God doth fail me never:
For of my heart God is the strength
and portion for ever.
27For, lo, they that are far from thee
for ever perish shall;
Them that a whoring from thee go
thou hast destroyed all.
28But surely it is good for me
that I draw near to God:
In God I trust, that all thy works
I may declare abroad.
Book 3
Psalms 73—89
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maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Tehillim (Psa) 73
73
Book III: Psalms 73–89
1A psalm of Asaf:
How good God is to Isra’el,
to those who are pure in heart!
2But as for me, I lost my balance,
my feet nearly slipped,
3when I grew envious of the arrogant
and saw how the wicked prosper.
4For when their death comes, it is painless;
and meanwhile, their bodies are healthy;
5they don’t have ordinary people’s troubles,
they aren’t plagued like others.
6So for them, pride is a necklace;
and violence clothes them like a robe.
7Their eyes peep out through folds of fat;
evil thoughts overflow from their hearts.
8They scoff and speak with malice,
they loftily utter threats.
9They set their mouths against heaven;
their tongues swagger through the earth.
10Therefore his people return here
and [thoughtlessly] suck up that whole cup of water.
11Then they ask, “How does God know?
Does the Most High really have knowledge?”
12Yes, this is what the wicked are like;
those free of misfortune keep increasing their wealth.
13It’s all for nothing that I’ve kept my heart clean
and washed my hands, staying free of guilt;
14for all day long I am plagued;
my punishment comes every morning.
15If I had said, “I will talk like them,”
I would have betrayed a generation of your children.
16When I tried to understand all this,
I found it too hard for me —
17until I went into the sanctuaries of God
and grasped what their destiny would be.
18Indeed, you place them on a slippery slope
and make them fall to their ruin.
19How suddenly they are destroyed,
swept away by terrors!
20They are like a dream when one awakens;
Adonai, when you rouse yourself,
you will despise their phantoms.
21When I had a sour attitude
and felt stung by pained emotions,
22I was too stupid to understand;
I was like a brute beast with you.
23Nevertheless, I am always with you;
you hold my right hand.
24You will guide me with your advice;
and afterwards, you will receive me with honor.
25Whom do I have in heaven but you?
And with you, I lack nothing on earth.
26My mind and body may fail; but God
is the rock for my mind and my portion forever.
27Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who adulterously leave you.
28But for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made Adonai Elohim my refuge,
so that I can tell of all your works.
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