Psalm 73New King James Version
BOOK THREE
Psalms 73–89
The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God
A Psalm of(A)Asaph.
73 Truly Godisgood to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly(B)slipped.
3 (C)For Iwasenvious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the(D)wicked.
4 Forthere areno[a]pangs in their death,
But their strengthisfirm.
5 (E)Theyarenot in troubleas othermen,
Nor are they plagued likeothermen.
6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them(F)likea garment.
7 (G)Their[b]eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
8 (H)They scoff and speak wickedlyconcerningoppression;
They(I)speak[c]loftily.
9 They set their mouth(J)against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here,
(K)And waters of a fullcupare drained by them.
11 And they say,(L)“How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, thesearethe ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increaseinriches.
13 Surely I have[d]cleansed my heartin(M)vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I thoughthowto understand this,
Itwas[e]too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
ThenI understood their(N)end.
18 Surely(O)You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they arebroughtto desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream whenoneawakes,
So,Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was[f]vexed in my mind.
22 (P)Iwasso foolish and ignorant;
I waslikea beast before You.
23 Nevertheless Iamcontinually with You;
You holdmeby my right hand.
24 (Q)You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive metoglory.
25 (R)Whom have I in heavenbut You?
Andthere isnone upon earththatI desire besides You.
26 (S)My flesh and my heart fail;
ButGodisthe[g]strength of my heart and my(T)portion forever.
27 For indeed,(U)those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who[h]desert You for harlotry.
28 Butit isgood for me to(V)draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the LordGod,
That I may(W)declare all Your works.
Footnotes
- Psalm 73:4pains
- Psalm 73:7Tg.face bulges;LXX, Syr., Vg.iniquity bulges
- Psalm 73:8Proudly
- Psalm 73:13kept my heart pure in vain
- Psalm 73:16troublesome in my eyes
- Psalm 73:21Lit.pierced in my kidneys
- Psalm 73:26Lit.rock
- Psalm 73:27Are unfaithful to You
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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