Book Three: Psalms 73–89

Psalm 73

The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God

A Psalm of aAsaph.

1 Truly God is good to Israel,

To such as are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

My steps had nearly bslipped.

3 cFor I was envious of the boastful,

When I saw the prosperity of the dwicked.

4 For there are no 1pangs in their death,

But their strength is firm.

5 eThey are not in trouble as other men,

Nor are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;

Violence covers them flike a garment.

7 gTheir 2eyes bulge with abundance;

They have more than heart could wish.

8 hThey scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;

They ispeak 3loftily.

9 They set their mouth jagainst the heavens,

And their tongue walks through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return here,

kAnd waters of a full cup are drained by them.

11 And they say, l“How does God know?

And is there knowledge in the Most High?”

12 Behold, these are the ungodly,

Who are always at ease;

They increase in riches.

13 Surely I have 4cleansed my heart in mvain,

And washed my hands in innocence.

14 For all day long I have been plagued,

And chastened every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”

Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.

16 When I thought how to understand this,

It was 5too painful for me—

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;

Then I understood their nend.

18 Surely oYou set them in slippery places;

You cast them down to destruction.

19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!

They are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream when one awakes,

So, Lord, when You awake,

You shall despise their image.

21 Thus my heart was grieved,

And I was 6vexed in my mind.

22 pI was so foolish and ignorant;

I was like a beast before You.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You hold me by my right hand.

24 qYou will guide me with Your counsel,

And afterward receive me to glory.

25 rWhom have I in heaven but You?

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

26 sMy flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the 7strength of my heart and my tportion forever.

27 For indeed, uthose who are far from You shall perish;

You have destroyed all those who 8desert You for harlotry.

28 But it is good for me to vdraw near to God;

I have put my trust in the Lord God,

That I may wdeclare all Your works.