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