Psalm 73

BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)

73

God’s Ways Vindicated

A psalm of Asaph. ^a

¹God is indeed good to Israel,

to the pure in heart. ^b

²But as for me, my feet almost slipped;

my steps nearly went astray. ^c

³For I envied the arrogant;

I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ^d

⁴They have an easy time until they die, ^e

and their bodies are well fed. ^f,^g

⁵They are not in trouble like others;

they are not afflicted like most people. ^h

⁶Therefore, pride is their necklace,

and violence covers them like a garment. ⁱ

⁷Their eyes bulge out from fatness;

the imaginations of their hearts run wild. ^j

⁸They mock, and they speak maliciously;

they arrogantly threaten oppression. ^k

⁹They set their mouths against heaven,

and their tongues strut across the earth. ^l

¹⁰Therefore his people turn to them ^m

and drink in their overflowing words. ⁿ,^o

¹¹The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High know everything? ” ^p

¹²Look at them #— #the wicked!

They are always at ease,

and they increase their wealth. ^q

¹³Did I purify my heart

and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? ^r

¹⁴For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning. ^s

¹⁵If I had decided to say these things aloud,

I would have betrayed your people. ^t,^u

¹⁶When I tried to understand all this,

it seemed hopeless ^v,^w

¹⁷until I entered God’s sanctuary.

Then I understood their destiny. ^x

¹⁸Indeed, you put them in slippery places;

you make them fall into ruin. ^y

¹⁹How suddenly they become a desolation!

They come to an end, swept away by terrors. ^z

²⁰Like one waking from a dream,

Lord, when arising, you will despise their image. ^aa

²¹When I became embittered

and my innermost being ^ab was wounded, ^ac

²²I was stupid and didn’t understand;

I was an unthinking animal toward you. ^ad

²³Yet I am always with you;

you hold my right hand. ^ae

²⁴You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me up in glory. ^af,^ag

²⁵Who do I have in heaven but you?

And I desire nothing on earth but you. ^ah

²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength ^ai of my heart,

my portion forever. ^aj

²⁷Those far from you will certainly perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. ^ak

²⁸But as for me, God’s presence is my good.

I have made the Lord God my refuge,

so I can tell about all you do. ^al