| Chapter 73 |
1 | Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart.
|
2 | But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
|
3 | For I was envious of the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
|
4 | For there are no struggles in their death, But their strength is firm.
|
5 | They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men.
|
6 | Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
|
7 | Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
|
8 | They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
|
9 | They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
|
10 | Therefore their people return to them, And they drink up waters of abundance.
|
11 | They say, 'How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?'
|
12 | Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
|
13 | Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence,
|
14 | For all day long have I been plagued, And punished every morning.
|
15 | If I had said, 'I will speak thus;' Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
|
16 | When I tried to understand this, It was too painful for me;
|
17 | Until I entered God's sanctuary, And considered their latter end.
|
18 | Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
|
19 | How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
|
20 | As a dream when one wakes up, So, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
|
21 | For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
|
22 | I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
|
23 | Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
|
24 | You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
|
25 | Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.
|
26 | My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
|
27 | For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
|
28 | But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, That I may tell of all your works. Psalm 74 A contemplation by Asaph.
|