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
PSALM 73.
1Understanding for Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off unto the end: why is thy wrath enkindled against the sheep of thy pasture?
2Remember thy congregation, which thou hast possessed from the beginning. The sceptre of thy inheritance which thou hast redeemed: mount Sion in which thou hast dwelt.
3Lift up thy hands against their pride unto the end; see what things the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
4And they that hate thee have made their boasts, in the midst of thy solemnity. They have set up their ensigns for signs,
5and they knew not both in the going out and on the highest top. As with axes in a wood of trees,
6they have cut down at once the gates thereof, with axe and hatchet they have brought it down.
7They have set fire to thy sanctuary: they have defiled the dwelling place of thy name on the earth.
8They said in their heart, the whole kindred of them together: Let us abolish all the festival days of God from the land.
9Our signs we have not seen, there is now no prophet: and he will know us no more.
10How long, O God, shall the enemy reproach: is the adversary to provoke thy name for ever?
11Why dost thou turn away thy hand: and thy right hand out of the midst of thy bosom for ever?
12But God is our king before ages: he hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
13Thou by thy strength didst make the sea firm: thou didst crush the heads of the dragons in the waters.
14Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon: thou hast given him to be meat for the people of the Ethiopians.
15Thou hast broken up the fountains and the torrents: thou hast dried up the Ethan rivers.
16Thine is the day, and thine is the night: thou hast made the morning light and the sun.
17Thou hast made all the borders of the earth: the summer and the spring were formed by thee.
18Remember this, the enemy hath reproached the Lord: and a foolish people hath provoked thy name.
19Deliver not up to beasts the souls that confess to thee: and forget not to the end the souls of thy poor.
20Have regard to thy covenant: for they that are the obscure of the earth have been filled with dwellings of iniquity.
21Let not the humble be turned away with confusion: the poor and needy shall praise thy name.
22Arise, O God, judge thy own cause: remember thy reproaches with which the foolish man hath reproached thee all the day.
23Forget not the voices of thy enemies: the pride of them that hate thee ascendeth continually.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.