Psalm 73

BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)

Psalm 73

GOD’S WAYS VINDICATED

A psalm of Asaph.^a

¹God is indeed good to Israel,

to the pure in heart.^b

²But as for me, my feet almost slipped;

my steps nearly went astray.^c

³For I envied the arrogant;

I saw the prosperity of the wicked.^d

⁴They have an easy time until they die,^C

and their bodies are well fed.^De

⁵They are not in trouble like others;

they are not afflicted like most people.^f

⁶Therefore, pride is their necklace,

and violence covers them like a garment.^g

⁷Their eyes bulge out from fatness;

the imaginations of their hearts run wild.^h

⁸They mock, and they speak maliciously;

they arrogantly threaten oppression.ⁱ

⁹They set their mouths against heaven,

and their tongues strut across the earth.^j

¹⁰Therefore his people turn to them^A

and drink in their overflowing words.^Bk

¹¹The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High know everything?”^l

¹²Look at them—the wicked!

They are always at ease,

and they increase their wealth.^m

¹³Did I purify my heart

and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?ⁿ

¹⁴For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning.^o

¹⁵If I had decided to say these things aloud,

I would have betrayed your people.^Cp

¹⁶When I tried to understand all this,

it seemed hopeless^Dq

¹⁷until I entered God’s sanctuary.

Then I understood their destiny.^r

¹⁸Indeed, you put them in slippery places;

you make them fall into ruin.^s

¹⁹How suddenly they become a desolation!

They come to an end, swept away by terrors.^t

²⁰Like one waking from a dream,

Lord, when arising, you will despise their image.^u

²¹When I became embittered

and my innermost being^E was wounded,^v

²²I was stupid and didn’t understand;

I was an unthinking animal toward you.^w

²³Yet I am always with you;

you hold my right hand.^x

²⁴You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me up in glory.^Fy

²⁵Who do I have in heaven but you?

And I desire nothing on earth but you.^z

²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength^G of my heart,

my portion forever.^aa

²⁷Those far from you will certainly perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.^ab

²⁸But as for me, God’s presence is my good.

I have made the Lord God my refuge,

so I can tell about all you do.^ac