Chapter 73

A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.

But as for me, my feet were almost gone;^{1 5186 7} my steps had well nigh slipped.²⁷

For I was envious¹⁴ at the foolish,⁶ [when] I saw⁴ the prosperity of the wicked.

For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.

They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued²⁹ like [other] men.

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain;¹ violence covereth⁴ them [as] a garment.

Their eyes stand out¹ with fatness: they have more¹ than heart could wish.

They are corrupt,⁵⁵ and speak¹⁷ wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak¹⁷ loftily.

They set¹ their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh⁴ through the earth.

Therefore his people return^{4 7725 55} hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out¹¹ to them.

And they say,¹ How doth God know?¹ and is there knowledge in the most High?

Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase⁵² [in] riches.

Verily I have cleansed¹⁴ my heart [in] vain, and washed⁴ my hands in innocency.

For all the day long have I been plagued,⁷ and chastened every morning.

If I say,¹ I will speak¹⁷ thus; behold, I should offend¹ [against] the generation of thy children.

When I thought¹⁷ to know² this, it [was] too painful for me;

Until I went⁴ into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood⁴ I their end.

Surely thou didst set⁴ them in slippery places: thou castedst them down⁵² into destruction.

How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly¹ consumed¹ with terrors.

As a dream when [one] awaketh;⁵³ [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise⁴ their image.

Thus my heart was grieved,¹⁰¹ and I was pricked¹¹³ in my reins.

So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: ^{3045 4} I was [as] a beast before thee.

Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden¹ [me] by my right hand.

Thou shalt guide⁵⁵ me with thy counsel, and afterward receive⁴ me [to] glory.

Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire¹ beside thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth:¹ [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish:⁴ thou hast destroyed⁵² all them that go a whoring⁶ from thee.

But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put¹ my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare¹⁵ all thy works.