Psalms 73

¹ A psalm of Asaph. How good God is to the upright, the Lord, to those who are clean of heart!

² I But, as for me, I lost my balance; my feet all but slipped,

³ Because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ For they suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek.

⁵ They are free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like others.

⁶ Thus pride adorns them as a necklace; violence clothes them as a robe.

⁷ Out of their stupidity comes sin; evil thoughts flood their hearts.

⁸ They scoff and spout their malice; from on high they utter threats.

⁹ They set their mouths against the heavens, their tongues roam the earth.

¹⁰ So my people turn to them and drink deeply of their words.

¹¹ They say, "Does God really know?" "Does the Most High have any knowledge?"

¹² Such, then, are the wicked, always carefree, increasing their wealth.

¹³ Is it in vain that I have kept my heart clean, washed my hands in innocence?

¹⁴ For I am afflicted day after day, chastised every morning.

¹⁵ Had I thought, "I will speak as they do," I would have betrayed your people.

¹⁶ Though I tried to understand all this, it was too difficult for me,

¹⁷ Till I entered the sanctuary of God and came to understand their end.

¹⁸ You set them, indeed, on a slippery road; you hurl them down to ruin.

¹⁹ How suddenly they are devastated; undone by disasters forever!

²⁰ They are like a dream after waking, Lord, dismissed like shadows when you arise.

²¹ Since my heart was embittered and my soul deeply wounded,

²² I was stupid and could not understand; I was like a brute beast in your presence.

²³ Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand.

²⁴ With your counsel you guide me, and at the end receive me with honor.

²⁵ Whom else have I in the heavens? None beside you delights me on earth.

²⁶ Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.

²⁷ But those who are far from you perish; you destroy those unfaithful to you.

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.