Psalm 73

¹TRULY GOD is [only] good to Israel, even to those who are upright and pure in heart.

²But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped.

³For I was envious of the foolish and arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴For they suffer no violent pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.

⁵They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they smitten and plagued like other men.

⁶Therefore pride is about their necks like a chain; violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe].

⁷Their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish; and the imaginations of their minds overflow [with follies].

⁸They scoff, and wickedly utter oppression; they speak loftily [from on high, maliciously and blasphemously].

⁹They set their mouths against and speak down from heaven, and their tongues swagger through the earth [invading even heaven with blasphemy and smearing earth with slanders].

¹⁰Therefore His people return here, and waters of a full cup [offered by the wicked] are [blindly] drained by them.

¹¹And they say, How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?

¹²Behold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are at ease in the world; they increase in riches.

¹³Surely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency.

¹⁴For all the day long have I been smitten and plagued, and chastened every morning.

¹⁵Had I spoken thus [and given expression to my feelings], I would have been untrue and have dealt treacherously against the generation of Your children.

¹⁶But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful

¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood [for I considered] their end.

¹⁸[After all] You do set the [wicked] in slippery places; You cast them down to ruin and destruction.

¹⁹How they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors!

²⁰As a dream [which seems real] until one awakens, so, O Lord, when You arouse Yourself [to take note of the wicked], You will despise their outward show.

²¹For my heart was grieved, embittered, and in a state of ferment, and I was pricked in my heart [as with the sharp fang of an adder].

²²So foolish, stupid, and brutish was I, and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.

²³Nevertheless I am continually with You; You do hold my right hand.

²⁴You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory.

²⁵Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.

²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.

²⁷For behold, those who are far from You shall perish; You will destroy all who are false to You and like [spiritual] harlots depart from You.

²⁸But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.