Psalms 73

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.	1 A psalm of Asaph. How good God is to the upright, the Lord, to those who are clean of heart!
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.	2 I But, as for me, I lost my balance; my feet all but slipped,
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.	3 Because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.	4 For they suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.	5 They are free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like others.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.	6 Thus pride adorns them as a necklace; violence clothes them as a robe.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.	7 Out of their stupidity comes sin; evil thoughts flood their hearts.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.	8 They scoff and spout their malice; from on high they utter threats.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.	9 They set their mouths against the heavens, their tongues roam the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.	10 So my people turn to them and drink deeply of their words.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?	11 They say, "Does God really know?" "Does the Most High have any knowledge?"
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.	12 Such, then, are the wicked, always carefree, increasing their wealth.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.	13 Is it in vain that I have kept my heart clean, washed my hands in innocence?
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.	14 For I am afflicted day after day, chastised every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.	15 Had I thought, "I will speak as they do," I would have betrayed your people.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;	16 Though I tried to understand all this, it was too difficult for me,
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.	17 Till I entered the sanctuary of God and came to understand their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.	18 You set them, indeed, on a slippery road; you hurl them down to ruin.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.	19 How suddenly they are devastated; undone by disasters forever!
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.	20 They are like a dream after waking, Lord, dismissed like shadows when you arise.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.	21 Since my heart was embittered and my soul deeply wounded,
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.	22 I was stupid and could not understand; I was like a brute beast in your presence.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.	23 Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.	24 With your counsel you guide me, and at the end receive me with honor.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.	25 Whom else have I in the heavens? None beside you delights me on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.	26 Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.	27 But those who are far from you perish; you destroy those unfaithful to you.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.	28 As for me, to be near God is my good, to make the Lord GOD my refuge. I shall declare all your works in the gates of daughter Zion.