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!
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Psalms 73: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 73
73
BOOK THREE
PSALM 73
The End of the Wicked Contrasted with That of the Righteous.
A Psalm of Asaph.
1Truly God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no pains in their death,
Their body is fat and pampered.
5They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind.
6Therefore pride is their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe].
7Their eye bulges from fatness [they have more than the heart desires];
The imaginations of their mind run riot [with foolishness].
8They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak loftily [with malice].
9They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue swaggers through the earth.
10Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance [offered by the irreverent] are [blindly] drunk by them.
11They say, “How does God know?
Is there knowledge [of us] with the Most High?”
12Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who always prosper and are at ease [in the world]; they have increased in wealth.
13Surely then in vain I have cleansed my heart
And washed my hands in innocence.
14For all the day long have I been stricken,
And punished every morning.
15If I had said, “I will say this,” [and expressed my feelings],
I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16When I considered how to understand this,
It was too great an effort for me and too painful
17Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood [for I considered] their end.
18Surely You set the wicked-minded and immoral on slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are completely swept away by sudden terrors!
20Like a dream [which seems real] until one awakens,
O Lord, when stirred, [You observe the wicked], You will despise their image.
21When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within [as with the fang of an adder],
22Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to honor and glory.
25Whom have I in heaven [but You]?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27For behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful and have abandoned You.
28But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him,
That I may tell of all Your works.
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