Chapter 73

  A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, [Even] to such as are pure in heart.  

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

  For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  

  For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.  

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

  Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.  

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

  They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.  

  They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.  

  Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full [cup] are drained by them.  

  And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?  

  Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.  

  Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;  

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

  If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.  

  When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;  

  Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.  

  Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.  

  How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.  

  As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.  

  For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:  

  So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before thee.  

  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.  

  Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.  

  Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.  

  My flesh and my heart faileth; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.  

  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, [departing] from thee.  

  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.