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
Psalms 73
73
BOOK III
A Psalm of Asaph.
1Truly God is good to the upright,
to those who are pure in heart.#73.1 Or Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart
2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had well nigh slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant,
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For they have no pangs;
their bodies are sound and sleek.
5They are not in trouble as other men are;
they are not stricken like other men.
6Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them as a garment.
7Their eyes swell out with fatness,
their hearts overflow with follies.
8They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
9They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth.
10Therefore the people turn and praise them;#73.10 Cn: Heb his people return hither
and find no fault in them.#73.10 Cn: Heb abundant waters are drained by them
11And they say, “How can God know?
Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12Behold, these are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
13All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.
14For all the day long I have been stricken,
and chastened every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
I would have been untrue to the generation of thy children.
16But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task,
17until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I perceived their end.
18Truly thou dost set them in slippery places;
thou dost make them fall to ruin.
19How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors!
20They are#73.20 Cn: Heb Lord like a dream when one awakes,
on awaking you despise their phantoms.
21When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart,
22I was stupid and ignorant,
I was like a beast toward thee.
23Nevertheless I am continually with thee;
thou dost hold my right hand.
24Thou dost guide me with thy counsel,
and afterward thou wilt receive me to glory.#73.24 Or honor
25Whom have I in heaven but thee?
And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength#73.26 Heb rock of my heart and my portion for ever.
27For lo, those who are far from thee shall perish;
thou dost put an end to those who are false to thee.
28But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all thy works.
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Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America