Psalms 73 — NWB

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