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 III
(Psalms 73–89)
God’s Ways Vindicated
A psalm of Asaph. # 1Ch 16:5,7
1God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart. # Ps 24:4; 51:10; Mt 5:8
2But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray. # Ps 17:5; 66:9; 94:18
3For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked. # Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1
4They have an easy time until they die, # Lit For there are no pangs to their death
and their bodies are well fed. # Lit fat # Jb 21:23-24
5They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people. # Jb 21:4
6Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment. # Ps 37:35; Pr 16:29; 21:24
7Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild. # Jb 15:27; Jr 5:28
8They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression. # Ps 17:10; 2Pt 2:18; Jd 16
9They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth. # Rv 13:6
10Therefore His people turn to them # Lit turn here
and drink in their overflowing words. # Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them # Jb 15:16
11The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything? ” # Jb 22:13; Ps 10:4,11; Is 29:15
12Look at them — the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth. # Ps 49:6; 52:7; Jr 49:31
13Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? # Ps 26:6; Mt 27:24
14For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning. # Jb 33:19; Ps 38:6; 118:18
15If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed Your people. # Lit betrayed the generation of Your sons # Ps 44:17; 89:33
16When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless # Lit it was trouble in my eyes # Ec 8:17
17until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny. # Jb 8:13; Ps 37:38
18Indeed, You put them in slippery places;
You make them fall into ruin. # Ps 35:6,8
19How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors. # Nm 16:21; Jb 18:11; Is 47:11
20Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, You will despise their image. # Ps 35:23; 59:5; 78:65
21When I became embittered
and my innermost being # Lit my kidneys was wounded, # Ps 109:22
22I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward You. # Jb 11:12; Ps 92:6
23Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand. # Ps 63:8
24You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me up in glory. # Or will receive me with honor # Ps 49:15; Is 58:11
25Who do I have in heaven but You?
And I desire nothing on earth but You. # Ps 16:2; Php 3:8
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength # Lit rock of my heart,
my portion forever. # Ps 16:5; 38:10; 84:2
27Those far from You will certainly perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. # 1Ch 5:25; Ps 37:20
28But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all You do. # Ps 40:5; 118:17
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