Psalms 73

1A Psalm for Asaph. How 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: andthey have firmness under their affliction.
5They are not in the troubles ofother men; and they shall not be scourged withother men.
6Therefore pride has possessed them; they have clothed themselves with their injusticeand 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 unrighteousnessloftily.
9They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has gone through uponthe earth.
10Therefore shall my people return hither: and full days shall be found with them.
11And they said, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
12Behold, theseare 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 reproofwas every morning.
15If I said, I will speak thus; behold, Ishould 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 appointedjudgments to them because of their crafty dealings: you have cast them down when they werelifted up.
19How have they become desolate! suddenly they have failed: they have perished becauseof 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 gladdened.
22But Iwas 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 heavenbut you? and what have I desired upon the earth beside you?
26My heart and my flesh have failed:but Godis 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 destroyedevery 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; thatI may proclaim all your praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
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