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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Psalms 73
73
Psalm 73
God’s Ways Vindicated
A psalm of Asaph.#1Ch 16:5,7
1God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.#Ps 24:4; 51:10; Mt 5:8
2But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.#Ps 17:5; 66:9; 94:18
3For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.#Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1
4They have an easy time until they die,#73:4 Lit For there are no pangs to their death
and their bodies are well fed.#73:4 Lit fat#Jb 21:23–24
5They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people.#Jb 21:4
6Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment.#Ps 37:35; Pr 16:29; 21:24
7Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.#Jb 15:27; Jr 5:28
8They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression.#Ps 17:10; 2Pt 2:18; Jd 16
9They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth.#Rv 13:6
10Therefore his people turn to them#73:10 Lit turn here
and drink in their overflowing words.#73:10 Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them#Jb 15:16
11The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything?” #Jb 22:13; Ps 10:4,11; Is 29:15
12Look at them — the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth.#Ps 49:6; 52:7; Jr 49:31
13Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?#Ps 26:6; Mt 27:24
14For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.#Jb 33:19; Ps 38:6; 118:18
15If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed your people.#73:15 Lit betrayed the generation of your sons#Ps 44:17; 89:33
16When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless#73:16 Lit it was trouble in my eyes#Ec 8:17
17until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny.#Jb 8:13; Ps 37:38
18Indeed, you put them in slippery places;
you make them fall into ruin.#Ps 35:6,8
19How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors.#Nm 16:21; Jb 18:11; Is 47:11
20Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, you will despise their image.#Ps 35:23; 59:5; 78:65
21When I became embittered
and my innermost being#73:21 Lit my kidneys was wounded,#Ps 109:22
22I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward you.#Jb 11:12; Ps 92:6
23Yet I am always with you;
you hold my right hand.#Ps 63:8
24You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me up in glory.#73:24 Or will receive me with honor#Ps 49:15; Is 58:11
25Who do I have in heaven but you?
And I desire nothing on earth but you.#Ps 16:2; Php 3:8
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength#73:26 Lit rock of my heart,
my portion forever.#Ps 16:5; 38:10; 84:2
27Those far from you will certainly perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.#1Ch 5:25; Ps 37:20
28But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all you do.#Ps 40:5; 118:17
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