Psalms 73
73
Book Three
Psalms 73—89
The Justice of God#Ps 73 Hebrew title: By Asaph.
1God is indeed good to Israel,
to those who have pure hearts.
2But I had nearly lost confidence;
my faith was almost gone
3because I was jealous of the proud
when I saw that things go well for the wicked.
4They do not suffer pain;
they are strong and healthy.
5They do not suffer as other people do;
they do not have the troubles that others have.
6And so they wear pride like a necklace
and violence like a robe;
7their hearts pour out evil,#73.7 Some ancient translations their hearts pour out evil; Hebrew unclear.
and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
8They laugh at other people and speak of evil things;
they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
9They speak evil of God in heaven
and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
10so that even God's people turn to them
and eagerly believe whatever they say.#73.10 Verse 10 in Hebrew is unclear.
11They say, “God will not know;
the Most High will not find out.”
12That is what the wicked are like.
They have plenty and are always getting more.
13Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure
and have not committed sin?
14O God, you have made me suffer all day long;
every morning you have punished me.
15If I had said such things,
I would not be acting as one of your people.
16I tried to think this problem through,
but it was too difficult for me
17until I went into your Temple.
Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.
18You will put them in slippery places
and make them fall to destruction!
19They are instantly destroyed;
they go down to a horrible end.
20They are like a dream that goes away in the morning;
when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.
21When my thoughts were bitter
and my feelings were hurt,
22I was as stupid as an animal;
I did not understand you.
23Yet I always stay close to you,
and you hold me by the hand.
24You guide me with your instruction
and at the end you will receive me with honour.
25What else have I in heaven but you?
Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?
26My mind and my body may grow weak,
but God is my strength;
he is all I ever need.
27Those who abandon you will certainly perish;
you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.
28But as for me, how wonderful to be near God,
to find protection with the Sovereign LORD
and to proclaim all that he has done!
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Psalms 73
73
Book 3
Should the Wicked Be Rich?
A psalm of Asaph.
1God is truly good to Israel,
to those who have pure hearts.
2But I had almost stopped believing;
I had almost lost my faith
3because I was jealous of proud people.
I saw wicked people doing well.
4They are not suffering;
they are healthy and strong.
5They don’t have troubles like the rest of us;
they don’t have problems like other people.
6They wear pride like a necklace
and put on violence as their clothing.
7They are looking for profits
and do not control their selfish desires.
8They make fun of others and speak evil;
proudly they speak of hurting others.
9They brag to the sky.
They say that they own the earth.
10So their people turn to them
and give them whatever they want.
11They say, “How can God know?
What does God Most High know?”
12These people are wicked,
always at ease, and getting richer.
13So why have I kept my heart pure?
Why have I kept my hands from doing wrong?
14I have suffered all day long;
I have been punished every morning.
15God, if I had decided to talk like this,
I would have let your people down.
16I tried to understand all this,
but it was too hard for me to see
17until I went to the Temple of God.
Then I understood what will happen to them.
18You have put them in danger;
you cause them to be destroyed.
19They are destroyed in a moment;
they are swept away by terrors.
20It will be like waking from a dream.
Lord, when you rise up, they will disappear.
21When my heart was sad
and I was angry,
22I was senseless and stupid.
I acted like an animal toward you.
23But I am always with you;
you have held my hand.
24You guide me with your advice,
and later you will receive me in honor.
25I have no one in heaven but you;
I want nothing on earth besides you.
26My body and my mind may become weak,
but God is my strength.
He is mine forever.
27Those who are far from God will die;
you destroy those who are unfaithful.
28But I am close to God, and that is good.
The Lord God is my protection.
I will tell all that you have done.
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.