Psalm 73

A psalm by Asaph. 

1  God is truly good to Israel, 

to those whose lives are pure. 

2  But my feet had almost stumbled. 

They had almost slipped 

3  because I was envious of arrogant people 

when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy. 

4  They suffer no pain. 

Their bodies are healthy. 

5  They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. 

They are not plagued ⸤with problems⸥ like others. 

6  That is why they wear arrogance like a necklace 

and acts of violence like clothing. 

7  Their eyes peer out from their fat faces, 

and their imaginations run wild. 

8  They ridicule. 

They speak maliciously. 

They speak arrogantly about oppression. 

9  They verbally attack heaven, 

and they order people around on earth. 

10  That is why God’s people turn to wickedness 

and swallow their words. 

11  Then wicked people ask, “What does God know?” 

“Does the Most High know anything?” 

12  Look how wicked they are! 

They never have a worry. 

They grow more and more wealthy. 

13  I’ve received no reward for keeping my life pure 

and washing my hands of any blame. 

14  I’m plagued ⸤with problems⸥ all day long, 

and every morning my punishment ⸤begins again⸥. 

15  If I had said, “I will continue to talk like that,” 

I would have betrayed God’s people. 

16  But when I tried to understand this, 

it was too difficult for me. 

17  Only when I came into God’s holy place 

did I ⸤finally⸥ understand what would happen to them. 

18  You put them in slippery places 

and make them fall into ruin. 

19  They are suddenly destroyed. 

They are completely swept away by terror! 

20  As ⸤someone⸥ gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, 

so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them 

when you wake up. 

21  When my heart was filled with bitterness 

and my mind was seized ⸤with envy⸥, 

22  I was stupid, and I did not understand. 

I was like a dumb animal in your presence. 

23  Yet, I am always with you. 

You hold on to my right hand. 

24  With your advice you guide me, 

and in the end you will take me to glory. 

25  As long as I have you, 

I don’t need anyone else in heaven or on earth. 

26  My body and mind may waste away, 

but God remains the foundation of my life 

and my inheritance forever. 

27  Without a doubt, those who are far from you will die. 

You destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 

28  Being united with God is my highest good. 

I have made the Almighty Lord my refuge 

so that I may report everything that he has done.