Psalm, 73

BOOK THREE

(Psalms 73-89)

A melody of Aʹsaph.

¹ God is truly good to Israel, to those pure in heart.

² As for me, my feet had almost strayed; My steps had nearly slipped.

³ For I became envious of the arrogant^*1 When I would see the peace of the wicked.

⁴ For they have no pain in their death; Their bodies are healthy.^*1

⁵ They are not troubled like other humans, Nor do they suffer like other men.

⁶ Therefore, haughtiness is their necklace; Violence clothes them as a garment.

⁷ Their prosperity^*1 makes their eyes bulge; They have exceeded the imaginations of the heart.

⁸ They scoff and say evil things. They arrogantly threaten oppression.

⁹ They speak as if they were as high as heaven, And their tongues swagger about in the earth.

¹⁰ So his people turn aside to them, And they drink from their abundant water.

¹¹ They say: “How does God know? Does the Most High really have knowledge?”

¹² Yes, these are the wicked, who always have it easy. They keep increasing their wealth.

¹³ Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence.

¹⁴ And I was troubled all day long; Every morning I was chastised.

¹⁵ But if I had said these things, I would have betrayed your people.^*1

¹⁶ When I tried to understand it, It was troubling to me

¹⁷ Until I entered the grand sanctuary of God, And I discerned their future.

¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery ground. You make them fall to their ruin.

¹⁹ How suddenly they are devastated! How sudden is their finish as they come to a terrible end!

²⁰ Like a dream when one wakes up, O Jehovah, When you rouse yourself, you will dismiss^*1 their image.

²¹ But my heart was sour, And deep inside^*1 I felt sharp pain.

²² I was unreasoning and lacked understanding; I was like a senseless beast before you.

²³ But now I am continually with you; You have taken hold of my right hand.

²⁴ You guide me with your advice, And afterward you will lead me to glory.

²⁵ Whom do I have in the heavens? And besides you I desire nothing on earth.

²⁶ My body and my heart may fail, But God is the rock of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷ Truly, those keeping far from you will perish. You will put an end to^*1 everyone who immorally^*2 leaves you.

²⁸ But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me. I have made the Sovereign Lord Jehovah my refuge, To declare all your works.