Psa 73 | HCSB | STEP | A psalm of Asaph . God is indeed good to Israel , to the pure in heart .

‏ Psalms 73

BOOK III

(Psalms 73-89)

God’s Ways Vindicated

1 A psalm of ^{▼▼Asaph: A musician appointed by David to oversee the music used in worship at the Temple; 12 psalms are attributed to Asaph.}Asaph. ^b

God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart. ^c
2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray. ^d
3 For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ^e

4 They have an easy time until they die, ^{▼▼Lit For there are no pangs to their death}
and their bodies are well fed. ^{▼▼Lit fat
,} ^h
5 They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people. ⁱ
6 Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment. ^j
7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild. ^k
8 They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression. ^l
9 They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth. ^m
10 Therefore His people turn to them ^{▼▼Lit turn here}
and drink in their overflowing words. ^{▼▼Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them
,} ^p
11 The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the ^{▼▼Most High: The Hebrew word is Elyon. It is often used with other names of God, such as El (God) or Yahweh (Lord); it is used to refer to God as the supreme being.}Most High know everything?” ^r
12 Look at them – the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth. ^s

13 Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? ^t
14 For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning. ^u
15 If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed Your people. ^{▼▼Lit betrayed the generation of Your sons
,} ^w
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless ^{▼▼Lit it was trouble in my eyes
,} ^y
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny. ^z
18 Indeed, You put them in slippery places;
You make them fall into ruin. ^aa
19 How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors. ^ab
20 Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, You will despise their image. ^ac

21 When I became embittered
and my innermost being ^{▼▼Lit my kidneys} was wounded, ^ae
22 I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward You. ^af
23 Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand. ^ag
24 You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me up in glory. ^{▼▼Or will receive me with honor
,} ^ai
25 Who do I have in heaven but You?
And I desire nothing on earth but You. ^aj
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength ^{▼▼Lit rock} of my heart,
my portion forever. ^al
27 Those far from You will certainly perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. ^am
28 But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all You do. ^an