Psalms

Psalm 73 ©

1 The Psalmist sheweth that his faith had almost failed him on seeing the prosperity of the wicked; 15 but that, unwilling to give up the cause of goodness, he had at length discovered their fearful end: 23 his trust in God's present support and future favour: 27 he concludeth it best to adhere to God.

0

A Psalm 1of Asaph.

1

TRULY2 aGod is good to Israel, even to such as are 3of a bclean heart.

2

But as for me, cmy feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3

For dI was envious at the foolish, when I saw the eprosperity of the wicked.

4

For there are fno bands in their death: but their strength is 4firm.

5

gThey are not 5in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued 6like other men.

6

Therefore hpride *compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7

Their ieyes stand out with fatness: 7they have more than heart could wish.

8

They jare corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: kthey speak loftily.

9

They lset their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10

Therefore his people mreturn *hither: and nwaters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11

And they say, oHow doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12

pBehold, these are the ungodly, qwho prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

q v.3.
13

*Verily rI have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14

For sall the day long have I been plagued, and 8*chastened every morning.

15

If I say, I will speak thus; behold, tI should offend against the generation of thy children.

16

When uI thought to know this, 9it was too *painful for me;

17

Until vI went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I wtheir end.

18

Surely xthou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19

How yare they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20

As za dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21

Thus amy heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my *reins.

22

So bfoolish was I, and 10ignorant: I was as a beast 11before thee.

23

Nevertheless cI am continually with thee: thou hast *holden me by my right hand.

24

Thou dshalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward ereceive me to glory.

25

fWhom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26

My gflesh and my heart faileth: but God is the 12strength of my heart, and hmy portion for ever.

27

For, lo, ithey that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that jgo a whoring from thee.

28

But it is kgood for me to draw near to God: lI have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.