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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Psalms 73: GW
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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
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.