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73:1 {A Psalm of Asaph.} Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are of a pure heart. 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped; 73:3 For I was envious at the arrogant, seeing the prosperity of the wicked. 73:4 For they have no pangs in their death, and their body is well nourished; 73:5 They have not the hardships of mankind, neither are they plagued like [other] men: 73:6 Therefore pride encompasseth them as a neck-chain, violence covereth them [as] a garment; 73:7 Their eyes stand out from fatness, they exceed the imaginations of their heart: 73:8 They mock and speak wickedly of oppression, they speak loftily: 73:9 They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 73:10 Therefore his people turn hither, and waters in fulness are wrung out to them. 73:11 And they say, How can God know, and is there knowledge in the Most High? 73:12 Behold, these are the wicked, and they prosper in the world: they heap up riches. 73:13 Truly have I purified my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency: 73:14 For all the day have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 73:15 If I said, I will speak thus, behold, I should be faithless to the generation of thy children. 73:16 When I thought to be able to know this, it was a grievous task in mine eyes; 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuaries of God; [then] understood I their end. 73:18 Truly thou settest them in slippery places, thou castest them down in ruins. 73:19 How are they suddenly made desolate! they pass away, consumed with terrors. 73:20 As a dream, when one awaketh, wilt thou, Lord, on arising despise their image. 73:21 When my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins, 73:22 Then I was brutish and knew nothing; I was [as] a beast with thee. 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand; 73:24 Thou wilt guide me by thy counsel, and after the glory, thou wilt receive me. 73:25 Whom have I in the heavens? and there is none upon earth I desire beside thee. 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever. 73:27 For behold, they that are far from thee shall perish; thou destroyest every one that goeth a whoring from thee. 73:28 But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, that I may declare all thy works.