Psalms
Psalms 73
A psalm by Asaph.
1 How good God is to Israel, to those upright in heart!
2 But my feet nearly stumbled; my steps almost slipped,
3 because I was jealous of those who break the law when I saw the peace of sinners.
4 There is no refusal in their death, and they remain firm under their affliction.
5 They do not share in humanity’s troubles, and they will not be struck like other people.
6 Therefore pride took possession of them; they clothed themselves in their injustice and ungodliness.
7 Their injustice will emerge from their fatness; they fulfilled the intention of their hearts.
8 They planned and spoke with malice; they spoke injustice arrogantly.
9 They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues passed over the earth.
10 Therefore my people will return here, and full days will be found among them.
11 They said,
“How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Look, these are sinners, and they prosper; they have held on to wealth forever.
13 I said, “Surely I made my heart righteous for nothing and washed my hands in innocence,
14 because I was struck all day long, and my correction came every morning.”
15 If I had said, “I will speak this way,” look, I would have broken faith with the generation of your children.
16 I tried to understand this, but it was difficult before me,
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary and understood their end.
18 Because of their deceit, you certainly set judgments against them; you cast them down when they rose up.
19 How suddenly they became desolate! They disappeared and perished because of their lawlessness.
20 Like the dream of one waking up, Lord, you will despise their image in your city.
21 My heart was inflamed, and my innermost parts were changed.
22 But I was contemptible and did not understand; I became like an animal before you.
23 Yet I am always with you. You held my right hand,
24 guided me with your counsel, and received me with glory.
25 What do I have in heaven, and what did I desire on earth besides you?
26 My heart and flesh failed, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Look, those who distance themselves from you will perish. You destroyed everyone who acts like a prostitute by leaving you.
28 But for me, it is good to cling closely to God and put my hope in the Lord, so I may proclaim all your praises in the gates of daughter Zion.