Psalms, 73

1. <A Psalm of Asaph.> Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.

1. Surely God is good to Israel, I mean, to the clean of heart.

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

2. But, as for me, I almost stumbled, I nearly lost my foothold,

3. For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

3. for I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the wicked prosper.

4. For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.

4. For they suffer no pain; they are strong and sound of body,

5. They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.

5. free from troubles common to mortals; they are not stricken by human ills.

6. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.

6. That is why pride becomes their necklace, and violence the robe that covers them.

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

7. Evil comes from their callous hearts, boundless evil from their corrupt minds.

8. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.

8. They scoff and speak with malice, and they threaten arrogantly.

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

9. Their mouths defy the heavens and their tongues dictate on earth.

10. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.

10. People, therefore, look up to them because they are well-watered.

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

11. "Does God see?" they say. "Has the Most High some knowledge of this?

12. Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.

12. Such are the wicked - always carefree while they rake in riches.

13. Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

13. In vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence

14. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

14. if all day long I am stricken and punished every morning."

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

15. Had I spoken like this, I would not be acting as one of your children.

16. When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;

16. Although I tried to understand this, it was difficult for me,

17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.

17. until I entered the secrets of God. Then I perceived their approaching doom.

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

18. You place them on slippery ground and make them fall into the pit.

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

19. How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away in terror!

20. As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

20. As one awakes from a nightmare, so when you arise, O Lord, you shake them off like a dream.

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

21. When my heart was embittered, and my spirit distraught

22. So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.

22. it was folly, not wisdom; I did not know you better than the beasts.

23. Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand.

23. Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand,

24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.

24. you guide me on the way you chose and your Glory brings me along.

25. Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.

25. I have no one in heaven but you; on earth I desire nothing but you.

26. My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

26. My flesh and my heart waste away for you, O God, O my rock, you are mine forever.

27. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

27. Those who abandon you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

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

28. But as for me, my joy is to be near God; I have made the Lord my refuge, and I will proclaim all his works.