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.