BOOK III
Psalms 73–89
Psalm 73
A psalm of Asaph.
1 Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
Psalms 73–89
Psalm 73
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 slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
5 They are free from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
they clothe themselves with violence.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
11 They say, “How would God know?
Does the Most High know anything?”
Does the Most High know anything?”
12 This is what the wicked are like —
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence.
and have washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments.
and every morning brings new punishments.
15 If I had spoken out like that,
I would have betrayed your children.
I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
then I understood their final destiny.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
you cast them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
completely swept away by terrors!
21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalms, 73 psalm