Psalm 73 – read and compare multiple versions
Psalms 73
[1]
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 I have cleansed my heart in vain,
and washed my hands in innocence,
[14] For all day long I have 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] Whom do I have in heaven?
There is no one on earth whom 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.
A Psalm by Asaph.
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 I have cleansed my heart in vain,
and washed my hands in innocence,
[14] For all day long I have 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] Whom do I have in heaven?
There is no one on earth whom 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.