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
Book 3
(Psalms 73-89)
Asaph’s song of praise.
1God is so good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2But I almost slipped and lost my balance.
I almost fell into sin.
3I saw that wicked people were successful,
and I became jealous of those proud people.
4They are healthy.
They don’t have to struggle to survive.#73:4 Literally, “They have no bonds to their death.”
5They don’t suffer like the rest of us.
They don’t have troubles like other people.
6So they are proud and hateful.
This is as easy to see as the jewels and fancy clothes they wear.
7If they see something they like, they go and take it.
They do whatever they want.
8They make fun of others and say cruel things about them.
In their pride they make plans to hurt people.
9They think they are gods!
They think they are the rulers of the earth.
10 # 73:10 The Hebrew text here is hard to understand. Even God’s people turn to them
and do what they say.
11Those evil people say, “God does not know what we are doing!
God Most High does not know!”
12Those proud people are wicked,
but they are rich and getting richer.
13Clearly, then, I gain nothing by keeping my thoughts pure!
What good is it to keep myself from sin?
14God, I suffer all day long,
and you punish me every morning.
15I wanted to tell others these things,
but that would have made me a traitor to your people.
16I tried hard to understand all this,
but it was too hard for me.
17But then, God, I went to your Temple,
and I understood what will happen to the wicked.
18Clearly, you have put them in danger.
You make it easy for them to fall and be destroyed.
19Trouble can come suddenly,
and they will be ruined.
Terrible things can happen to them,
and they will be finished.
20Then they will be like a dream
that we forget when we wake up.
You will make them disappear
like the monsters in our dreams.
21-22I was so stupid.
I thought about such people and became upset.
God, I was upset and angry with you!
I acted like a senseless animal.
23But I am always with you.
You hold my hand.
24You lead me and give me good advice,
and later you will lead me to glory.#73:24 lead me to glory Or “receive me in honor.”
25In heaven, God, I have only you.
And if I am with you, what on earth could I want?
26Maybe my mind#73:26 mind Literally, “heart.” and body will become weak,
but God is my source of strength.#73:26 my … strength Literally, “the Rock of my heart.”
He is mine forever!
27God, people who leave you will be lost.
You will destroy all who are not faithful to you.
28As for me, all I need is to be close to God.
I have made the Lord GOD my place of safety.
And, God, I will tell about all that you have done.
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