The Psalms (WEB)

Psalm 73

A Psalm by Asaph.

 ^73:1Surely God is good to Israel,
      To those who are pure in heart.

 ^73:2But as for me, my feet were almost gone.
      My steps had nearly slipped.

 ^73:3For I was envious of the arrogant,
      When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

 ^73:4For there are no struggles in their death,
      But their strength is firm.

 ^73:5They are free from burdens of men,
      Neither are they plagued like other men.

 ^73:6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck.
      Violence covers them like a garment.

 ^73:7Their eyes bulge with fat.
      Their minds pass the limits of conceit.

 ^73:8They scoff and speak with malice.
      In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

 ^73:9They have set their mouth in the heavens.
      Their tongue walks through the earth.

 ^73:10Therefore their people return to them,
      And they drink up waters of abundance.

 ^73:11They say, "How does God know?
      Is there knowledge in the Most High?"

 ^73:12Behold, these are the wicked.
      Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

 ^73:13Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart,
      And washed my hands in innocence,

 ^73:14For all day long have I been plagued,
      And punished every morning.

 ^73:15If I had said, "I will speak thus;"
      Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

  ^73:16When I tried to understand this,
      It was too painful for me;

 ^73:17Until I entered God's sanctuary,
      And considered their latter end.

 ^73:18Surely you set them in slippery places.
      You throw them down to destruction.

 ^73:19How they are suddenly destroyed!
      They are completely swept away with terrors.

 ^73:20As a dream when one wakes up,
      So, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

 ^73:21For my soul was grieved.
      I was embittered in my heart.

 ^73:22I was so senseless and ignorant.
      I was a brute beast before you.

 ^73:23Nevertheless, I am continually with you.
      You have held my right hand.

 ^73:24You will guide me with your counsel,
      And afterward receive me to glory.

 ^73:25Who do I have in heaven?
      There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.

 ^73:26My flesh and my heart fails,
      But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 ^73:27For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish.
      You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

 ^73:28But it is good for me to come close to God.
      I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge,
      That I may tell of all your works.

World English Bible