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This is a psalm that Asaph wrote.

God has helped me to understand [ a ]

73 God is truly good to the people of Israel,
to people who want to serve him honestly.
2 But this is what happened to me:
I nearly slipped and fell over.
I could no longer stand properly.
3 When I saw that wicked people had plenty of things,
I was jealous of those proud people.
4 Their bodies are fat and strong,
and they feel no pain in their lives.
5 They do not have trouble like other people.
They seem to have no problems.
6 Their pride is like their necklace.
They like to be cruel,
as they like to wear clothes.
7 Their greedy eyes lead them into sin.
Their minds think of evil things to do.
8 They laugh at people
and they say bad things about them.
They proudly speak about cruel things
that they want to do to people.
9 They think that they rule in heaven,
as well as on the earth!
10 As a result, God's people become confused,
and they listen to them.
They think that everything is true
that those wicked people say. [ b ]
11 They say, ‘Does God really know what we do?
Does the Most High God know everything?’
12 Take a good look,
and see how wicked those people are!
They have no troubles,
and they become richer and richer.

13 I decided that I had tried to do what is right,
but it did not help me at all!
I had refused to do anything wrong,
for no good reason!
14 I had trouble each and every day.
Punishment came to me every morning!
15 If I had spoken aloud things like that,
I would have turned against your own people.
16 When I thought about all this,
it was so hard for me to understand.
17 But I went into your temple, God.
Then I understood what would happen
to wicked people in the end.
18 Yes, I realized that they are in a dangerous place,
where they will easily slip.
You will cause them to fall down to their death.
19 It will take just a moment to destroy them!
Great fear will sweep them away!
20 They will completely disappear,
like a dream disappears after you wake up.
Lord, when you decide to do something,
you will forget that they were there!

21 I was very upset,
and my thoughts were confused.
22 I was stupid,
and I did not understand you properly.
I was no better than an animal.
23 But I am always near to you.
You hold my right hand,
as my guide.
24 You teach me the right way to go,
and you will lead me to glory. [ c ]
25 You are the only one in heaven or on earth
that I need to help me.
You are the only one that I want.
26 My body and my mind may become weak,
but God will always keep me safe and strong.
27 Those people who stay far away from you will die.
You destroy everybody who turns away from you.
28 But as for me, it is good for me to stay near to God.
I have gone to the Almighty Lord
as the place where I can be safe.
I will tell people about the great things that you have done.

Footnotes

  1. 73:1 This is a psalm by Asaph, or his group. The writer saw that bad people often had plenty of money. They did not have trouble in their lives. Would it be better for him to be bad? Then he went into God's house. There he understood that bad people were not really in a good, safe place, as it seemed. God would take care of his own people, even if they had problems.
  2. 73:10 This is a difficult verse to understand in Hebrew.
  3. 73:24 For the writer of the psalm, this probably meant that people would respect him again as a good person. But it also means that God will take his people to heaven to be with him for ever.

Book 3

(Psalms 73-89)

Asaph’s song of praise.

73 God is so good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But I almost slipped and lost my balance.
I almost fell into sin.
3 I saw that wicked people were successful,
and I became jealous of those proud people.
4 They are healthy.
They don’t have to struggle to survive. [ a ]
5 They don’t suffer like the rest of us.
They don’t have troubles like other people.
6 So they are proud and hateful.
This is as easy to see as the jewels and fancy clothes they wear.
7 If they see something they like, they go and take it.
They do whatever they want.
8 They make fun of others and say cruel things about them.
In their pride they make plans to hurt people.
9 They think they are gods!
They think they are the rulers of the earth.
10 [ b ] Even God’s people turn to them
and do what they say.
11 Those evil people say, “God does not know what we are doing!
God Most High does not know!”

12 Those proud people are wicked,
but they are rich and getting richer.
13 Clearly, then, I gain nothing by keeping my thoughts pure!
What good is it to keep myself from sin?
14 God, I suffer all day long,
and you punish me every morning.

15 I wanted to tell others these things,
but that would have made me a traitor to your people.
16 I tried hard to understand all this,
but it was too hard for me.
17 But then, God, I went to your Temple,
and I understood what will happen to the wicked.
18 Clearly, you have put them in danger.
You make it easy for them to fall and be destroyed.
19 Trouble can come suddenly,
and they will be ruined.
Terrible things can happen to them,
and they will be finished.
20 Then they will be like a dream
that we forget when we wake up.
You will make them disappear
like the monsters in our dreams.

21-22 I was so stupid.
I thought about such people and became upset.
God, I was upset and angry with you!
I acted like a senseless animal.
23 But I am always with you.
You hold my hand.
24 You lead me and give me good advice,
and later you will lead me to glory. [ c ]
25 In heaven, God, I have only you.
And if I am with you, what on earth could I want?
26 Maybe my mind [ d ] and body will become weak,
but God is my source of strength. [ e ]
He is mine forever!
27 God, people who leave you will be lost.
You will destroy all who are not faithful to you.
28 As for me, all I need is to be close to God.
I have made the Lord God my place of safety.
And, God, I will tell about all that you have done.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 73:4 Literally, “They have no bonds to their death.”
  2. Psalm 73:10 The Hebrew text here is hard to understand.
  3. Psalm 73:24 lead me to glory Or “receive me in honor.”
  4. Psalm 73:26 mind Literally, “heart.”
  5. Psalm 73:26 my … strength Literally, “the Rock of my heart.”

73 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

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

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

4 For there are no bands 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 compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24 Thou shalt 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 beside 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 go a whoring from thee.

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.

BOOK 3

The End of the Wicked Contrasted with That of the Righteous.

A Psalm of Asaph.

73 God certainly is ( A ) good to Israel,
To those who are ( B ) pure in heart!
2 But as for me, ( C ) my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps [ a ] had almost slipped.
3 For I was ( D ) envious of the [ b ] arrogant
As I saw the ( E ) prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pains in their death,
And their belly is fat.
5 They are ( F ) not [ c ] in trouble like other people,
Nor are they ( G ) tormented together with the rest of mankind.
6 Therefore arrogance is ( H ) their necklace;
The ( I ) garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eye [ d ] bulges from ( J ) fatness;
The imaginations of their heart overflow.
8 They ( K ) mock and [ e ] wickedly speak of oppression;
They ( L ) speak from on high.
9 They have ( M ) set their mouth [ f ] against the heavens,
And their tongue [ g ] parades through the earth.

10 Therefore [ h ] his people return here,
And ( N ) abundant waters are drunk by them.
11 They say, “ ( O ) How does God know?
And is there knowledge [ i ] with the Most High?”
12 Behold, ( P ) these are the wicked;
And always ( Q ) at ease, they have increased in wealth.
13 Surely ( R ) in vain I have [ j ] kept my heart pure
And ( S ) washed my hands in innocence;
14 For I have been stricken ( T ) all day long,
And [ k ] ( U ) punished every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak this way,”
Behold, I would have betrayed the ( V ) generation of Your children.
16 When I ( W ) thought of understanding this,
It was [ l ] troublesome in my sight
17 Until I entered the [ m ] ( X ) sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their ( Y ) end.
18 You indeed put them on ( Z ) slippery ground;
You dropped them into [ n ] ( AA ) ruin.
19 How they are [ o ] ( AB ) destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by ( AC ) sudden terrors!
20 Like a ( AD ) dream when one awakes,
Lord, when ( AE ) stirred, You will ( AF ) despise their image.

21 When my ( AG ) heart was embittered
And I was ( AH ) pierced [ p ] within,
22 Then I was ( AI ) stupid and ignorant;
I was like an ( AJ ) animal [ q ] before You.
23 Nevertheless ( AK ) I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24 You will ( AL ) guide me with Your plan,
And afterward ( AM ) receive me [ r ] to glory.

25 ( AN ) Whom do I have in heaven but You ?
And with You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My ( AO ) flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the [ s ] strength of my heart and my ( AP ) portion forever.
27 For, behold, ( AQ ) those who are far from You will ( AR ) perish;
You have destroyed all those who [ t ] ( AS ) are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, ( AT ) the nearness of God is good for me;
I have made the Lord [ u ] God my ( AU ) refuge,
So that I may ( AV ) tell of all Your works.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 73:2 Lit were caused to slip
  2. Psalm 73:3 Or boasters
  3. Psalm 73:5 Lit in the trouble of people
  4. Psalm 73:7 Lit goes forth
  5. Psalm 73:8 Or they speak in wickedness; From on high they speak of oppression
  6. Psalm 73:9 Or in
  7. Psalm 73:9 Lit walks
  8. Psalm 73:10 Or His
  9. Psalm 73:11 Lit in
  10. Psalm 73:13 Or cleansed my heart
  11. Psalm 73:14 Lit my punishment
  12. Psalm 73:16 Lit labor, trouble
  13. Psalm 73:17 Lit sanctuaries
  14. Psalm 73:18 Or deception
  15. Psalm 73:19 Lit become a desolation
  16. Psalm 73:21 Lit in my kidneys
  17. Psalm 73:22 Lit with You
  18. Psalm 73:24 Or with honor
  19. Psalm 73:26 Lit rock
  20. Psalm 73:27 Lit go to a whoring from
  21. Psalm 73:28 Heb YHWH , usually rendered Lord

BOOK III

Psalms 73–89

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

1 Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. ( A )

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; ( B )
I had nearly lost my foothold. ( C )
3 For I envied ( D ) the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ( E )

4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong. [ a ]
5 They are free ( F ) from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride ( G ) is their necklace; ( H )
they clothe themselves with violence. ( I )
7 From their callous hearts ( J ) comes iniquity [ b ] ;
their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; ( K )
with arrogance ( L ) they threaten oppression. ( M )
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance. [ c ]
11 They say, “How would God know?
Does the Most High know anything?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, ( N ) they go on amassing wealth. ( O )

13 Surely in vain ( P ) I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence. ( Q )
14 All day long I have been afflicted, ( R )
and every morning brings new punishments.

15 If I had spoken out like that,
I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand ( S ) all this,
it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary ( T ) of God;
then I understood their final destiny. ( U )

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; ( V )
you cast them down to ruin. ( W )
19 How suddenly ( X ) are they destroyed,
completely swept away ( Y ) by terrors!
20 They are like a dream ( Z ) when one awakes; ( AA )
when you arise, Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies. ( AB )

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless ( AC ) and ignorant;
I was a brute beast ( AD ) before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand. ( AE )
24 You guide ( AF ) me with your counsel, ( AG )
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? ( AH )
And earth has nothing I desire besides you. ( AI )
26 My flesh and my heart ( AJ ) may fail, ( AK )
but God is the strength ( AL ) of my heart
and my portion ( AM ) forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish; ( AN )
you destroy all who are unfaithful ( AO ) to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. ( AP )
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; ( AQ )
I will tell of all your deeds. ( AR )

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 73:4 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text struggles at their death; / their bodies are healthy
  2. Psalm 73:7 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew Their eyes bulge with fat
  3. Psalm 73:10 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
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