Psalms 73
73
God’s Justice
Asaph’s psalm # 73 Asaph was one of three Levites that David set over the worship of Yahweh. However, it is possible that Asaph was an office not an individual—Asaphites who were part of a prophetic company of composers. The name Asaph means “a harvest” or “fulfilled prophecy.” Asaph possibly comes from a Semitic root word for “portal.” Perhaps the Asaphites were named such because their music opened a portal into the heavenly realm.
1No one can deny it—God is really good to Israel
and to all those with pure hearts.
But I nearly missed seeing it for myself.
2Here’s my story: I narrowly missed losing it all.
3I was stumbling over what I saw the wicked doing.
For when I saw the boasters with such wealth and prosperity,
I became jealous over their smug security.
4-5Indulging in whatever they wanted, going where they wanted,
doing what they wanted, and with no care in the world,
no pain, no problems—they seemed to have it made.
They lived as though life would never end.
6They didn’t even try to hide their pride and opulence.
Cruelty and violence are parts of their lifestyle.
7Pampered and pompous, vice oozes from their souls;
they overflow with vanity.
8They’re such snobs—looking down their noses.
They even scoff at God!
They are nothing but bullies threatening God’s people.
9They are loudmouths with no fear of God, pretending to know it all—
windbags full of hot air, impressing only themselves.
10Yet the people keep coming back to listen
to more of their nonsense.
11They tell their cohorts, “God will never know.
See, he has no clue of what we’re doing.”
12These are the wicked ones I’m talking about!
They never have to lift a finger,
living a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13Have I been foolish to play by the rules and keep my life pure?
14Here I am suffering under your discipline day after day.
I feel like I’m being punished all day long.
15If I had given in to my pain and spoken of what I was really feeling,
it would have sounded like unfaithfulness to the next generation.
16When I tried to understand it all, I just couldn’t.
It was too puzzling—too much of a riddle to me.
17But then one day I was brought into the sanctuaries of God,
and in the light of glory, my distorted perspective vanished.
Then I understood that the destiny of the wicked was near!
18They’re the ones who are on the slippery path,
and God will suddenly let them slide off into destruction
to be consumed with terrors forever!
19It will be an instant end to all their life of ease;
a blink of the eye and they’re swept away by sudden calamity!
They’re all nothing more than momentary monarchs—
20soon to disappear like a dream when one awakes.
When the rooster crows,
Lord God, you’ll despise their life of fantasies. # 73:20 Or “shadows.”
21When I saw all of this, what turmoil filled my heart,
piercing my opinions with your truth.
22I was so stupid. I was senseless and ignorant,
acting like a brute beast before you, Lord.
23Yet, in spite of all this, I still belong to you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24You lead me with your secret wisdom.
And following you brings me into your brightness and glory!
25Whom have I in heaven but you? You’re all I want!
No one on earth means as much to me as you.
26Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace.
But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence
protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need!
27Those who abandon the worship of God will perish.
The false and unfaithful will be silenced, never heard from again.
28But I’ll keep coming closer and closer to you, Lord Yahweh,
for your name is good to me. I’ll keep telling the world of
your awesome works, my faithful and glorious God!
Currently Selected:
Psalms 73: TPT
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Passion Translation® is a registered trademark of Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Learn More About The Passion TranslationTehillim (Psa) 73
73
Book III: Psalms 73–89
1A psalm of Asaf:
How good God is to Isra’el,
to those who are pure in heart!
2But as for me, I lost my balance,
my feet nearly slipped,
3when I grew envious of the arrogant
and saw how the wicked prosper.
4For when their death comes, it is painless;
and meanwhile, their bodies are healthy;
5they don’t have ordinary people’s troubles,
they aren’t plagued like others.
6So for them, pride is a necklace;
and violence clothes them like a robe.
7Their eyes peep out through folds of fat;
evil thoughts overflow from their hearts.
8They scoff and speak with malice,
they loftily utter threats.
9They set their mouths against heaven;
their tongues swagger through the earth.
10Therefore his people return here
and [thoughtlessly] suck up that whole cup of water.
11Then they ask, “How does God know?
Does the Most High really have knowledge?”
12Yes, this is what the wicked are like;
those free of misfortune keep increasing their wealth.
13It’s all for nothing that I’ve kept my heart clean
and washed my hands, staying free of guilt;
14for all day long I am plagued;
my punishment comes every morning.
15If I had said, “I will talk like them,”
I would have betrayed a generation of your children.
16When I tried to understand all this,
I found it too hard for me —
17until I went into the sanctuaries of God
and grasped what their destiny would be.
18Indeed, you place them on a slippery slope
and make them fall to their ruin.
19How suddenly they are destroyed,
swept away by terrors!
20They are like a dream when one awakens;
Adonai, when you rouse yourself,
you will despise their phantoms.
21When I had a sour attitude
and felt stung by pained emotions,
22I was too stupid to understand;
I was like a brute beast with you.
23Nevertheless, I am always with you;
you hold my right hand.
24You will guide me with your advice;
and afterwards, you will receive me with honor.
25Whom do I have in heaven but you?
And with you, I lack nothing on earth.
26My mind and body may fail; but God
is the rock for my mind and my portion forever.
27Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who adulterously leave you.
28But for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made Adonai Elohim my refuge,
so that I can tell of all your works.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
For more information and to purchase a hard copy of the Complete Jewish Bible,
Learn More About Complete Jewish Bible