Psa Psalms, psalm Book of Psalms, psalm 73
BOOK III
Psalms 73–89
Surely God Is Good to Israel
A Psalm of Asaph.
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.Psa 64:8; Mat 5:8; Jhn 1:47
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Psa 37:1; Job 21:7; Jer 12:1
They have no struggle in their death;
their bodies are well-fed.
They are free of the burdens others carry;
they are not afflicted like other men.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
a garment of violence covers them.
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity;73:7 Literally Their eye bulges with fatness; Syriac From their callous heart proceeds iniquity
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.Job 15:27
They mock and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongues strut across the earth.
So their people73:10 Or His people return to this place
and drink up waters in abundance.
The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?”Psa 10:11; Psa 94:7
Behold, these are the wicked —
always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure;
in innocence I have washed my hands.Mal 3:14; Job 9:30
For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.
If I had said, “I will speak this way,”
then I would have betrayed Your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
it was troublesome in my sight
until I entered God’s sanctuary;
then I discerned their end.
Surely You set them on slick ground;
You cast them down into ruin.Job 21:16; Pro 14:32
How suddenly they are laid waste,
completely swept away by terrors!Job 21:30; Psa 52:5
Like one waking from a dream,
so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.Job 21:17; Isa 29:7
When my heart was grieved
and I was pierced within,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before You.Jhn 12:16
Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand.Jhn 6:68
You guide me with Your counsel,
and later receive me in glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And on earth I desire no one besides You.Psa 16:5; Jhn 4:14
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength73:26 Hebrew rock of my heart
and my portion forever.Lam 3:24
Those far from You will surely perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.Jer 17:13; Hos 7:13
But 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.Jas 4:8