-
73:1 [A Psalm of Asaph]. Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! 73:2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped. 73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant, [As] I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 73:4 For there are no pains in their death; And their body is fat. 73:5 They are not in trouble [as other] men; Nor are they plagued like mankind. 73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them. 73:7 Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of [their] heart run riot. 73:8 They mock, and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high. 73:9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth. 73:10 Therefore his people return to this place; And waters of abundance are drunk by them. 73:11 And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?" 73:12 Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased [in] wealth. 73:13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, And washed my hands in innocence; 73:14 For I have been stricken all day long, And chastened every morning. 73:15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I should have betrayed the generation of Thy children. 73:16 When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight 73:17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God; [Then] I perceived their end. 73:18 Surely Thou dost set them in slippery places; Thou dost cast them down to destruction. 73:19 How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors! 73:20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, Thou wilt despise their form. 73:21 When my heart was embittered, And I was pierced within, 73:22 Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was [like] a beast before Thee. 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. 73:24 With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. 73:25 Whom have I in heaven [but Thee]? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 73:27 For, behold, those who are far from Thee will perish; Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee. 73:28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Thy works.