Psalms 73

BOOK III

Psalms 73—89

Surely God Is Good to Israel

A Psalm of Asaph.

¹Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.1

²But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

my steps had nearly slipped.1

³For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.1

⁴They have no struggle in their death;

their bodies are well-fed.1

⁵They are free of the burdens others carry;

they are not afflicted like other men.1

⁶Therefore pride is their necklace;

a garment of violence covers them.1

⁷From their prosperity proceeds iniquity;

the imaginations of their hearts run wild.1

⁸They mock and speak with malice;

with arrogance they threaten oppression.1

⁹They set their mouths against the heavens,

and their tongues strut across the earth.1

¹⁰So their people return to this place

and drink up waters in abundance.1

¹¹The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High have knowledge?”1

¹²Behold, these are the wicked—

always carefree as they increase their wealth.1

¹³Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure;

in innocence I have washed my hands.1

¹⁴For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning.1

¹⁵If I had said, “I will speak this way,”

then I would have betrayed Your children.1

¹⁶When I tried to understand all this,

it was troublesome in my sight1

¹⁷until I entered God’s sanctuary;

then I discerned their end.1

¹⁸Surely You set them on slick ground;

You cast them down into ruin.1

¹⁹How suddenly they are laid waste,

completely swept away by terrors!1

²⁰Like one waking from a dream,

so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.2

²¹When my heart was grieved

and I was pierced within,1

²²I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before You.3

²³Yet I am always with You;

You hold my right hand.2

²⁴You guide me with Your counsel,

and later receive me in glory.

²⁵Whom have I in heaven but You?

And on earth I desire no one besides You.1

²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.1

²⁷Those far from You will surely perish;

You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.1

²⁸But as for me, it is good to draw near to God.

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,

that I may proclaim all Your works.1