Psalms 73
73
BOOK THREE
(Psalms 73–89)
Psalm 73
A psalm by Asaph.
1God is truly good to Israel,
to those whose lives are pure.
2But my feet had almost stumbled.
They had almost slipped
3because I was envious of arrogant people
when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.
4They suffer no pain.
Their bodies are healthy.
5They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people.
They are not plagued ⌞with problems⌟ like others.
6That is why they wear arrogance like a necklace
and acts of violence like clothing.
7Their eyes peer out from their fat faces,
and their imaginations run wild.
8They ridicule.
They speak maliciously.
They speak arrogantly about oppression.
9They verbally attack heaven,
and they order people around on earth.
10That is why God’s people turn to wickedness
and swallow their words.
11Then wicked people ask, “What does God know?”
“Does the Most High know anything?”
12Look how wicked they are!
They never have a worry.
They grow more and more wealthy.
13I’ve received no reward for keeping my life pure
and washing my hands of any blame.
14I’m plagued ⌞with problems⌟ all day long,
and every morning my punishment ⌞begins again⌟.
15If I had said, “I will continue to talk like that,”
I would have betrayed God’s people.
16But when I tried to understand this,
it was too difficult for me.
17Only when I came into God’s holy place
did I ⌞finally⌟ understand what would happen to them.
18You put them in slippery places
and make them fall into ruin.
19They are suddenly destroyed.
They are completely swept away by terror!
20As ⌞someone⌟ gets rid of a dream when he wakes up,
so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them
when you wake up.
21When my heart was filled with bitterness
and my mind was seized ⌞with envy⌟,
22I was stupid, and I did not understand.
I was like a dumb animal in your presence.
23Yet, I am always with you.
You hold on to my right hand.
24With your advice you guide me,
and in the end you will take me to glory.
25As long as I have you,
I don’t need anyone else in heaven or on earth.
26My body and mind may waste away,
but God remains the foundation of my life
and my inheritance forever.
27Without a doubt, those who are far from you will die.
You destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28Being united with God is my highest good.
I have made the Almighty Lord my refuge
so that I may report everything that he has done.
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Psalms 73
73
BOOK THREE
Psalm 73
The End of the Wicked Contrasted with That of the Righteous.
A Psalm of Asaph.
1Truly God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no pains in their death,
Their body is fat and pampered.
5They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind.
6Therefore pride is their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe].
7Their eye bulges from fatness [they have more than the heart desires];
The imaginations of their mind run riot [with foolishness].
8They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak loftily [with malice].
9They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue swaggers through the earth. [Rev 13:6]
10¶Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance [offered by the irreverent] are [blindly] drunk by them.
11They say, “How does God know?
Is there knowledge [of us] with the Most High?”
12Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who always prosper and are at ease [in the world]; they have increased in wealth.
13Surely then in vain I have cleansed my heart
And washed my hands in innocence. [Mal 3:14]
14For all the day long have I been stricken,
And punished every morning.
15¶If I had said, “I will say this,” [and expressed my feelings],
I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16When I considered how to understand this,
It was too great an effort for me and too painful
17Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood [for I considered] their end.
18Surely You set the wicked-minded and immoral on slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are completely swept away by sudden terrors!
20Like a dream [which seems real] until one awakens,
O Lord, when stirred, [You observe the wicked], You will despise their image.
21¶When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within [as with the fang of an adder],
22Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to honor and glory.
25¶Whom have I in heaven [but You]?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27For behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful and have abandoned You.
28But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him,
That I may tell of all Your works.
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