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BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)

Psalm 73

God’s Ways Vindicated

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God is indeed good to Israel,

to the pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped;

my steps nearly went astray.

3 For I envied the arrogant;

I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have an easy time until they die,[a]

and their bodies are well fed.[b]

5 They are not in trouble like others;

they are not afflicted like most people.

6 Therefore, pride is their necklace,

and violence covers them like a garment.

7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness;

the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

8 They mock, and they speak maliciously;

they arrogantly threaten oppression.

9 They set their mouths against heaven,

and their tongues strut across the earth.

10 Therefore His people turn to them[c]

and drink in their overflowing words.[d]

11 The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High know everything?”

12 Look at them—the wicked!

They are always at ease,

and they increase their wealth.

13 Did I purify my heart

and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?

14 For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning.

15 If I had decided to say these things aloud,

I would have betrayed Your people.[e]

16 When I tried to understand all this,

it seemed hopeless[f]

17 until I entered God’s sanctuary.

Then I understood their destiny.

18 Indeed, You put them in slippery places;

You make them fall into ruin.

19 How suddenly they become a desolation!

They come to an end, swept away by terrors.

20 Like one waking from a dream,

Lord, when arising, You will despise their image.

21 When I became embittered

and my innermost being[g] was wounded,

22 I was stupid and didn’t understand;

I was an unthinking animal toward You.

23 Yet I am always with You;

You hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with Your counsel,

and afterward You will take me up in glory.[h]

25 Who do I have in heaven but You?

And I desire nothing on earth but You.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength[i] of my heart,

my portion forever.

27 Those far from You will certainly perish;

You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.

28 But 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.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 73:4 Lit For there are no pangs to their death
  2. Psalm 73:4 Lit fat
  3. Psalm 73:10 Lit turn here
  4. Psalm 73:10 Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them
  5. Psalm 73:15 Lit betrayed the generation of Your sons
  6. Psalm 73:16 Lit it was trouble in my eyes
  7. Psalm 73:21 Lit my kidneys
  8. Psalm 73:24 Or will receive me with honor
  9. Psalm 73:26 Lit rock