The Psalms

Psalm 73

A Psalm of Asaph.

 ^73:1Surely God is good to Israel,

 Even to such as are pure in heart.

 ^73:2But as for me, my feet were almost gone;

 My steps had well nigh slipped.

 ^73:3For I was envious at the arrogant,

 When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

 ^73:4For there are no pangs in their death;

 But their strength is firm.

 ^73:5They are not in trouble as other men;

 Neither are they plagued like other men.

 ^73:6Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck;

 Violence covereth them as a garment.

 ^73:7Their eyes stand out with fatness:

 They have more than heart could wish.

 ^73:8They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression:

 They speak loftily.

 ^73:9They have set their mouth in the heavens,

 And their tongue walketh through the earth.

 ^73:10Therefore his people return hither:

 And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

 ^73:11And they say, How doth God know?

 And is there knowledge in the Most High?

 ^73:12Behold, these are the wicked;

 And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

 ^73:13Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart,

 And washed my hands in innocency;

 ^73:14For all the day long have I been plagued,

 And chastened every morning.

 ^73:15If I had said, I will speak thus;

 Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

 ^73:16When I thought how I might know this,

 It was too painful for me;

 ^73:17Until I went into the sanctuary of God,

 And considered their latter end.

 ^73:18Surely thou settest them in slippery places:

 Thou castest them down to destruction.

 ^73:19How are they become a desolation in a moment!

 They are utterly consumed with terrors.

 ^73:20As a dream when one awaketh,

 So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

 ^73:21For my soul was grieved,

 And I was pricked in my heart:

 ^73:22So brutish was I, and ignorant;

 I was as a beast before thee.

 ^73:23Nevertheless I am continually with thee:

 Thou hast holden my right hand.

 ^73:24Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel,

 And afterward receive me to glory.

 ^73:25Whom have I in heaven but thee?

 And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

 ^73:26My flesh and my heart faileth;

 But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

 ^73:27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish:

 Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, departing from thee.

 ^73:28But it is good for me to draw near unto God:

 I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge,

 That I may tell of all thy works.