Psalm 73
Surely God Is Good to Israel
A Psalm of Asaph.
¹ Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
² But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
³ For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
⁴ They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
⁵ They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
⁷ From their prosperity proceeds iniquity;1 the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
⁸ They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
⁹ They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
¹⁰ So their people 2 return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
¹¹ The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
¹² Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
¹³ Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
¹⁴ For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
¹⁶ When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
¹⁷ until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
¹⁸ Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
¹⁹ How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
²⁰ Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
²¹ When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
²² I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
²³ Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength 3 of my heart and my portion forever.
²⁷ Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
²⁸ But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.