Psalm 73

BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)

Psalm 73

God’s Ways Vindicated

A psalm of Asaph. ^r

¹God is indeed good to Israel,

to the pure in heart. ^s

²But as for me, my feet almost slipped;

my steps nearly went astray. ^t

³For I envied the arrogant;

I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ^u

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

and their bodies are well fed. ^wx

⁵They are not in trouble like others;

they are not afflicted like most people. ^y

⁶Therefore, pride is their necklace,

and violence covers them like a garment. ^z

⁷Their eyes bulge out from fatness;

the imaginations of their hearts run wild. ^a

⁸They mock, and they speak maliciously;

they arrogantly threaten oppression. ^b

⁹They set their mouths against heaven,

and their tongues strut across the earth. ^c

¹⁰Therefore His people turn to them ^d

and drink in their overflowing words. ^ef

¹¹The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High know everything?” ^g

¹²Look at them—the wicked!

They are always at ease,

and they increase their wealth. ^h

¹³Did I purify my heart

and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? ⁱ

¹⁴For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning. ^j

¹⁵If I had decided to say these things aloud,

I would have betrayed Your people. ^kl

¹⁶When I tried to understand all this,

it seemed hopeless ^mn

¹⁷until I entered God’s sanctuary.

Then I understood their destiny. ^o

¹⁸Indeed, You put them in slippery places;

You make them fall into ruin. ^p

¹⁹How suddenly they become a desolation!

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

²⁰Like one waking from a dream,

Lord, when arising, You will despise their image. ^r

²¹When I became embittered

and my innermost being ^swas wounded, ^t

²²I was stupid and didn’t understand;

I was an unthinking animal toward You. ^u

²³Yet I am always with You;

You hold my right hand. ^v

²⁴You guide me with Your counsel,

and afterward You will take me up in glory. ^wx

²⁵Who do I have in heaven but You?

And I desire nothing on earth but You. ^y

²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength ^zof my heart,

my portion forever. ^a

²⁷Those far from You will certainly perish;

You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. ^b

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. ^c