Psalm 72:1–19

1 A psalm for Asaph.

How good is God to Israel, to them that are of a right heart!

2 But my feet were almost moved; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3 Because I had a zeal on occasion of the wicked, seeing the prosperity of sinners.

4 For there is no regard to their death, nor is there strength in their stripes.

5 They are not in the labour of men: neither shall they be scourged like other men.

6 Therefore pride hath held them fast: they are covered with their iniquity and their wickedness.

7 Their iniquity hath come forth, as it were from fatness: they have passed into the affection of the heart.

8 They have thought and spoken wickedness: they have spoken iniquity on high.

9 They have set their mouth against heaven: and their tongue hath passed through the earth.

10 Therefore will my people return here and full days shall be found in them.

11 And they said: How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12 Behold these are sinners; and yet, abounding in the world they have obtained riches.

13 And I said: Then have I in vain justified my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent.

14 And I have been scourged all the day; and my chastisement hath been in the mornings.

15 If I said: I will speak thus; behold I should condemn the generation of thy children.

16 I studied that I might know this thing, it is a labour in my sight:

17 Until I go into the sanctuary of God, and understand concerning their last ends.

18 But indeed for deceits thou hast put it to them: when they were lifted up thou hast cast them down.

19 How are they brought to desolation? they have suddenly ceased to be: they have perished by reason of their iniquity.