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 III
Psalms 73—89
Surely God Is Good to Israel
A Psalm of Asaph.
1Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped.
3For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4They have no struggle in their death;
their bodies are well-fed.
5They are free of the burdens others carry;
they are not afflicted like other men.
6Therefore pride is their necklace;
a garment of violence covers them.
7From their prosperity proceeds iniquity;#73:7 Literally Their eye bulges with fatness; Syriac From their callous heart proceeds iniquity
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8They mock and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongues strut across the earth.
10So their people #73:10 Or His people return to this place
and drink up waters in abundance.
11The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12Behold, these are the wicked—
always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure;
in innocence I have washed my hands.
14For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak this way,”
then I would have betrayed Your children.
16When I tried to understand all this,
it was troublesome in my sight
17until I entered God’s sanctuary;
then I discerned their end.
18Surely You set them on slick ground;
You cast them down into ruin.
19How suddenly they are laid waste,
completely swept away by terrors!
20Like one waking from a dream,
so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21When my heart was grieved
and I was pierced within,
22I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before You.
23Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand.
24You guide me with Your counsel,
and later receive me in glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but You?
And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength #73:26 Hebrew rock of my heart
and my portion forever.
27Those far from You will surely perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
28But as for me, it is good to draw near to God.
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may proclaim all Your works.
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The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.