THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.
Psalm 73 ©
The prophet describes, by his example, what a heavy temptation it is to the faithful to see the wicked prosper and the cross of the godly; showing the right way how to overcome such temptations by the practice of God’s wise government, which serves to the conviction and destruction of the wicked, but to the good of the godly, especially that they may learn to take or seek their perfect content in nothing but the grace and blessed communion with God.
A Psalm of 1Asaph.
TRULY2 God is good to Israel, even 3to such as are of a clean heart.
But as for me, 4my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Fora I was envious at the 5foolish, when I saw the 6prosperity of the wicked.
For there are no 7bands 8in their death: but their strength is 9firm.
They are not in trouble as other 10men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride 11compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a 12garment.
Their eyes 13stand out with fatness: they 14have more than heart could wish.
They are 15corrupt, and speak 16wickedly concerning oppression: they speak 17loftily.
18They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Therefore 19his people return hither: and waters of a full 20cup are wrung out to them.
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Behold, these are the ungodly, who 21prosper in the world; they increase in 22riches.
23Verily I have cleansed my 24heart in vain, and washed my 25hands in innocency.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened 26every morning.
If I 27say, I will speak 28thus; behold, I should offend against the 29generation of thy children.
When I thought to know this, it was too painfulb for 30me;
Until I went into the 31sanctuary of God; then understood I their 32end.
Surely thou didst set them in 33slippery places: thou castedst them down into 34destruction.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
As a 35dream when one 36awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt 37despise their image.
Thus my heart was 38grieved, and I was pricked in my 39reins.
So 40foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a 41beast before thee.
Nevertheless I am continually 42with thee: thou hast holden me by my 43right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy 44counsel, and afterward receive me to 45glory.
46Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I 47desire beside thee.
My 48flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the 49strength of my heart, and my 50portion for ever.
For, lo, they that are 51far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring 52from thee.
But it is good for me to draw 53near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.