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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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 73
73
BOOK III
(Psalms 73–89)
Psalm 73
A psalm of Asaph.
1Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are have a pure heart.
2But me? My feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped
3because I envied the arrogant;
I observed how the wicked are well off:
4They suffer no pain;
their bodies are fit and strong.
5They are never in trouble;
they aren’t weighed down like other people.
6That’s why they wear arrogance like a necklace,
why violence covers them like clothes.
7Their eyes bulge out from eating so well;
their hearts overflow with delusions.
8They scoff and talk so cruel;
from their privileged positions
they plan oppression.
9Their mouths dare to speak against heaven!
Their tongues roam the earth!
10That’s why people keep going back to them,
keep approving what they say.#73.10 Heb uncertain
11And what they say is this: “How could God possibly know!
Does the Most High know anything at all!”
12Look at these wicked ones,
always relaxed, piling up the wealth!
13Meanwhile, I’ve kept my heart pure for no good reason;
I’ve washed my hands to stay innocent for nothing.
14I’m weighed down all day long.
I’m punished every morning.
15If I said, “I will talk about all this,”
I would have been unfaithful to your children.
16But when I tried to understand these things,
it just seemed like hard work
17until I entered God’s sanctuary
and understood what would happen to the wicked.
18You will definitely put them on a slippery path;
you will make them fall into ruin!
19How quickly they are devastated,
utterly destroyed by terrors!
20As quickly as a dream departs from someone waking up, my Lord,
when you are stirred up, you make them disappear.#73.20 Heb uncertain
21When my heart was bitter,
when I was all cut up inside,
22I was stupid and ignorant.
I acted like nothing but an animal toward you.
23But I was still always with you!
You held my strong hand!
24You have guided me with your advice;
later you will receive me with glory.
25Do I have anyone else in heaven?
There’s nothing on earth I desire except you.
26My body and my heart fail,
but God is my heart’s rock and my share forever.
27Look! Those far from you die;
you annihilate all those who are unfaithful to you.
28But me? It’s good for me to be near God.
I have taken my refuge in you, my LORD God,
so I can talk all about your works!
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