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 (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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