Psalm 73

A Psalm of Asaph.
1.Truly73-2 God is good to Israel, even to such as are of73-373-1 a clean heart.
2.But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3.For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4.For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm73-4.
5.They are not in73-5 trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like73-6 other men.
6.Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7.Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have73-7 more than heart could wish.
8.They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9.They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10.Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11.And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12.Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13.Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14.For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened73-8 every morning.
15.If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16.When I thought to know this, it was too73-9 painful for me;
17.Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18.Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19.How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20.As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21.Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22.So foolish was I, and ignorant73-10: I was as a beast before73-11 thee.
23.Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24.Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25.Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26.My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength73-12 of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27.For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
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.

Notes

73-1.
of or, for
73-2.
Truly or, Yet
73-3.
of... Heb. clean of heart
73-4.
firm Heb. fat
73-5.
in... Heb. in the trouble of other men
73-6.
like Heb. with
73-7.
have... Heb. pass the thoughts of the heart
73-8.
chastened Heb. my chastisement was
73-9.
too... Heb. labour in mine eyes
73-10.
ignorant Heb. I knew not
73-11.
before Heb. with
73-12.
strength Heb. rock