Psalms 73 — WEBBE
A Psalm by Asaph.
73Verse 1Surely God+is good to Israel,to those who are pure in heart.Verse 2But as for me, my feet were almost gone.My steps had nearly slipped.Verse 3For I was envious of the arrogant,when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Verse 4For there are no struggles in their death,but their strength is firm.Verse 5They are free from burdens of men,neither are they plagued like other men.Verse 6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck.Violence covers them like a garment.Verse 7Their eyes bulge with fat.Their minds pass the limits of conceit.Verse 8They scoff and speak with malice.In arrogance, they threaten oppression.Verse 9They have set their mouth in the heavens.Their tongue walks through the earth.Verse 10Therefore their people return to them,and they drink up waters of abundance.Verse 11They say, “How does God know?Is there knowledge in the Most High?”Verse 12Behold, these are the wicked.Being always at ease, they increase in riches.Verse 13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,and washed my hands in innocence,Verse 14For all day long I have been plagued,and punished every morning.Verse 15If I had said, “I will speak thus”,behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.Verse 16When I tried to understand this,it was too painful for me—Verse 17until I entered God’s sanctuary,and considered their latter end.Verse 18Surely you set them in slippery places.You throw them down to destruction.Verse 19How they are suddenly destroyed!They are completely swept away with terrors.Verse 20As a dream when one wakes up,so, Lord,+when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.Verse 21For my soul was grieved.I was embittered in my heart.Verse 22I was so senseless and ignorant.I was a brute beast before you.Verse 23Nevertheless, I am continually with you.You have held my right hand.Verse 24You will guide me with your counsel,and afterward receive me to glory.Verse 25Whom do I have in heaven?There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.Verse 26My flesh and my heart fails,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.Verse 27For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish.You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.Verse 28But it is good for me to come close to God.I have made the Lord GOD+my refuge,that I may tell of all your works.