Psalms 73

ASV(i) 1 A Psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,
[Even] to such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone;
My steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the arrogant,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pangs in their death;
But their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as [other] men;
Neither are they plagued like [other] men. 6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck;
Violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness:
They have more than heart could wish. 8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression:
They speak loftily. 9 They have set their mouth in the heavens,
And their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return hither:
And waters of a full [cup] are drained by them. 11 And they say, How doth God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High? 12 Behold, these are the wicked;
And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches. 13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart,
And washed my hands in innocency; 14 For all the day long have I been plagued,
And chastened every morning. 15 If I had said, I will speak thus;
Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children. 16 When I thought how I might know this,
It was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God,
And considered their latter end. 18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places:
Thou castest them down to destruction. 19 How are they become a desolation in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh,
So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image. 21 For my soul was grieved,
And I was pricked in my heart: 22 So brutish was I, and ignorant;
I was [as] a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee:
Thou hast holden my right hand. 24 Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth;
[But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish:
Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, [departing] from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near unto God:
I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge,
That I may tell of all thy works.