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
Psalm 73
73
Book III
The Fate of the Wicked
A Psalm of Asaph.
1Truly God is good to Israel,
even to such as are of a clean heart.
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone;
my steps had well-nigh slipped.
3For I was envious at the foolish,
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no bands in their death:
but their strength is firm.
5They are not in trouble as other men;
neither are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain;
violence covereth them as a garment.
7Their eyes stand out with fatness:
they have more than heart could wish.
8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression:
they speak loftily.
9They set their mouth against the heavens,
and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10Therefore his people return hither:
and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11And they say, How doth God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?
12Behold, these are the ungodly,
who prosper in the world;
they increase in riches.
13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain,
and washed my hands in innocency.
14For all the day long have I been plagued,
and chastened every morning.
15If I say, I will speak thus;
behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16When I thought to know this,
it was too painful for me;
17until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then understood I their end.
18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places:
thou castedst them down into destruction.
19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20As a dream when one awaketh;
so, O Lord, when thou awakest,
thou shalt despise their image.
21Thus my heart was grieved,
and I was pricked in my reins.
22So foolish was I, and ignorant:
I was as a beast before thee.
23Nevertheless I am continually with thee:
thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel,
and afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but thee?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
26My flesh and my heart faileth:
but God is the strength of my heart,
and my portion for ever.
27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish:
thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28But it is good for me to draw near to God:
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
that I may declare all thy works.
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.