Psalms 73
73
God’s Justice
Asaph’s psalm # 73 Asaph was one of three Levites that David set over the worship of Yahweh. However, it is possible that Asaph was an office not an individual—Asaphites who were part of a prophetic company of composers. The name Asaph means “a harvest” or “fulfilled prophecy.” Asaph possibly comes from a Semitic root word for “portal.” Perhaps the Asaphites were named such because their music opened a portal into the heavenly realm.
1No one can deny it—God is really good to Israel
and to all those with pure hearts.
But I nearly missed seeing it for myself.
2Here’s my story: I narrowly missed losing it all.
3I was stumbling over what I saw the wicked doing.
For when I saw the boasters with such wealth and prosperity,
I became jealous over their smug security.
4-5Indulging in whatever they wanted, going where they wanted,
doing what they wanted, and with no care in the world,
no pain, no problems—they seemed to have it made.
They lived as though life would never end.
6They didn’t even try to hide their pride and opulence.
Cruelty and violence are parts of their lifestyle.
7Pampered and pompous, vice oozes from their souls;
they overflow with vanity.
8They’re such snobs—looking down their noses.
They even scoff at God!
They are nothing but bullies threatening God’s people.
9They are loudmouths with no fear of God, pretending to know it all—
windbags full of hot air, impressing only themselves.
10Yet the people keep coming back to listen
to more of their nonsense.
11They tell their cohorts, “God will never know.
See, he has no clue of what we’re doing.”
12These are the wicked ones I’m talking about!
They never have to lift a finger,
living a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13Have I been foolish to play by the rules and keep my life pure?
14Here I am suffering under your discipline day after day.
I feel like I’m being punished all day long.
15If I had given in to my pain and spoken of what I was really feeling,
it would have sounded like unfaithfulness to the next generation.
16When I tried to understand it all, I just couldn’t.
It was too puzzling—too much of a riddle to me.
17But then one day I was brought into the sanctuaries of God,
and in the light of glory, my distorted perspective vanished.
Then I understood that the destiny of the wicked was near!
18They’re the ones who are on the slippery path,
and God will suddenly let them slide off into destruction
to be consumed with terrors forever!
19It will be an instant end to all their life of ease;
a blink of the eye and they’re swept away by sudden calamity!
They’re all nothing more than momentary monarchs—
20soon to disappear like a dream when one awakes.
When the rooster crows,
Lord God, you’ll despise their life of fantasies. # 73:20 Or “shadows.”
21When I saw all of this, what turmoil filled my heart,
piercing my opinions with your truth.
22I was so stupid. I was senseless and ignorant,
acting like a brute beast before you, Lord.
23Yet, in spite of all this, I still belong to you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24You lead me with your secret wisdom.
And following you brings me into your brightness and glory!
25Whom have I in heaven but you? You’re all I want!
No one on earth means as much to me as you.
26Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace.
But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence
protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need!
27Those who abandon the worship of God will perish.
The false and unfaithful will be silenced, never heard from again.
28But I’ll keep coming closer and closer to you, Lord Yahweh,
for your name is good to me. I’ll keep telling the world of
your awesome works, my faithful and glorious God!
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Psalms 73: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 73
73
Book Three (Psalms 73–89)
A psalm of Asaph.
1Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
8They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
9They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
10And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
11“What does God know?” they ask.
“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
15If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
16So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
20When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
22I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
27Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
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