Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

1 Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.

5 They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.

11 They say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.

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

14 All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!

20 As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

PSALMS 73

BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)

God Is Good

1 God is truly good to Israel, t
especially to everyone
with a pure heart.

2 But I almost stumbled and fell,

3 because it made me jealous
to see proud and evil people
and to watch them prosper.

4 They never have to suffer, t
they stay healthy,

5 and they don't have troubles
like everyone else.

6 Their pride is like a necklace,
and they commit sin more often
than they dress themselves.

7 Their eyes bulge with fat,
and their minds are flooded
with foolish thoughts.

8 They sneer and say cruel things,
and because of their pride,
they make violent threats.

9 They dare to speak against God
and to order others around.

10 God will bring his people back,
and they will drink the water
he so freely gives.t

11 Only evil people would say,
“God Most High cannot
know everything!”

12 Yet all goes well for them,
and they live in peace.

13 What good did it do me
to keep my thoughts pure
and refuse to do wrong?

14 I am sick all day,
and I am punished
each morning.

15 If I had said evil things,
I would not have been loyal
to your people.

16 It was hard for me
to understand all this!

17 Then I went to your temple,
and there I understood
what will happen
to my enemies.

18 You will make them stumble,
never to get up again.

19 They will be terrified,
suddenly swept away
and no longer there.

20 They will disappear, Lord,
despised like a bad dream
the morning after.

21 Once I was bitter
and brokenhearted.

22 I was stupid and ignorant,
and I treated you
as a wild animal would.

23 But I never really left you,
and you hold my right hand.

24 Your advice has been my guide,
and later you will welcome me
in glory.t

25 In heaven I have only you,
and on this earth
you are all I want.

26 My body and mind may fail,
but you are my strength
and my choice forever.

27 All-Powerful [Lord] God,
those who stay far from you
will be lost,
and you will destroy those
who are unfaithful.

28 It is good for me
to be near you.
I choose you as my protector,
and I will tell about
your wonderful deeds.