73
BOOK THREE: Psalms 73—89
The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God
A Psalm of ⚓Asaph.
1Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly ⚓slipped.
3⚓For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the ⚓wicked.
4For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
5⚓They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them ⚓like a garment.
7⚓Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
8⚓They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They ⚓speak loftily.
9They set their mouth ⚓against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
10Therefore his people return here,
⚓And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11And they say, ⚓“How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
13Surely I have cleansed my heart in⚓vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
14For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their ⚓end.
18Surely ⚓You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
22⚓I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24⚓You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25⚓Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26⚓My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my ⚓portion forever.
27For indeed, ⚓those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28But it is good for me to ⚓draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may ⚓declare all Your works.