Psalms 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God
is good to Israel,
even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish,
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For
there are no bands in their death: but their strength
is firm.
5 They
are not in trouble
as other men; neither are they plagued like
other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them
as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly
concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full
cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these
are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase
in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart
in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend
against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it
was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they
brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when
one awaketh;
so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish
was I, and ignorant: I was
as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I
am continually with thee: thou hast holden
me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me
to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven
but thee? and
there is none upon earth
that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth:
but God
is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But
it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.