‏ Psalms 72

(73) A Psalm for Asaph.

1How good is God to Israel, to the upright in heart!
2But my feet were almost overthrown; my goings very nearly slipped.
3For I was jealous of the transgressors, beholding the tranquility of sinners.
4For there is no sign of reluctance in their death: and they have firmness under their affliction.
5They are not in the troubles of other men; and they shall not be scourged with other men.
6Therefore pride has possessed them; they have clothed themselves with their injustice and ungodliness.
7Their injustice shall go forth as out of fatness: they have fulfilled their intention.
8They have taken counsel and spoken in wickedness: they have uttered unrighteousness loftily.
9They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has gone through upon the earth.
10Therefore shall my people return hither: and full days shall be found
72:10 Gr. in.
with them.
11And they said, How does God know? and
72:11 Gr. if there is.
is there knowledge in the Most High?
12Behold, these are the sinners, and they that prosper always: they have possessed wealth.
13And I said, Verily in vain have I justified my heart, and washed my hands in innocency.
14For I was plagued all the day, and my reproof was every morning.
15If I said, I will speak thus; behold, I should have broken covenant with the generation of your children.
16And I undertook to understand this, but it is too hard for me,
17until I go into the sanctuary of God; and so understand the latter end.
18Surely you have appointed judgments to them because of their crafty dealings: you have cast them down when they were lifted up.
19How have they become desolate! suddenly they have failed: they have perished because of their iniquity.
20As the dream of one awakening, O Lord, in your city you will despise their image.
21For my heart has rejoiced, and my reins have been
72:21 Gr. changed.
gladdened.
22But I was vile and knew not: I became brutish before you.
23Yet I am continually with you: you have holden my right hand.
24You have guided me by your counsel, and you have taken me to yourself with glory.
25For what have I in heaven but you? and what have I desired upon the earth beside you?
26My heart and my flesh have failed: but God is the strength of my heart, and God is my portion for ever.
27For, behold, they that remove themselves far from you shall perish: you have destroyed every one that goes a whoring from you.
28But it is good for me to cleave close to God, to put my trust in the Lord; that I may proclaim all your praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
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