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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Psalms 73: MP1650
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maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Psalms 73
73
Should the Wicked Be Rich?
A song of Asaph.
1God is truly good to Israel,
to those who have pure hearts.
2But I had almost stopped believing this truth.
I had almost lost my faith
3because I was jealous of proud people.
I saw wicked people doing well.
4They are not suffering.
They are healthy and strong.
5They don’t have troubles like the rest of us.
They don’t have problems like other people.
6So they wear pride like a necklace.
They put on violence as their clothing.
7They are looking for profits.
They do not control their selfish desires.
8They make fun of others and speak evil.
Proudly they speak of hurting others.
9They brag to the sky.
Their mouths gossip on the earth.
10So their people turn to them
and give them whatever they want.
11They say, “How can God know?
What does God Most High know?”
12These people are wicked,
always at ease and getting richer.
13So why have I kept my heart pure?
Why have I kept my hands from doing wrong?
14I have suffered all day long.
I have been punished every morning.
15God, if I had decided to talk about this,
I would have let your people down.
16I tried to understand all this.
But it was too hard for me to see
17until I went to the Temple of God.
Then I understood what will happen to them.
18You have put them in danger.
You cause them to be destroyed.
19They are destroyed in a moment.
They are swept away by terrors.
20It will be like waking from a dream.
Lord, when you come, they will disappear.
21When my heart was sad and
I was angry,
22I was senseless and stupid.
I acted like an animal toward you.
23But I am always with you.
You have held my hand.
24You guide me with your advice.
And later you will receive me in honor.
25I have no one in heaven but you.
I want nothing on earth besides you.
26My mind and my body may become weak.
But God is my strength.
He is mine forever.
27Those who are far from God will die.
You destroy those who are unfaithful.
28But I am close to God, and that is good.
The Lord God is my protection.
I will tell all that you have done.
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