VerseAI

NIV

Psalms 73

  1. 1<pb/><e>A psalm of Asaph.</e> <pb/><t>Surely God is good to Israel,</t> <t>to those who are pure in heart. <pb/></t>
  2. 2<t>But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;</t> <t>I had nearly lost my foothold.</t>
  3. 3<t>For I envied the arrogant</t> <t>when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. <pb/></t>
  4. 4<t>They have no struggles;</t> <t>their bodies are healthy and strong.<f>[137]</f></t>
  5. 5<t>They are free from common human burdens;</t> <t>they are not plagued by human ills.</t>
  6. 6<t>Therefore pride is their necklace;</t> <t>they clothe themselves with violence.</t>
  7. 7<t>From their callous hearts comes iniquity<f>[138]</f>;</t> <t>their evil imaginations have no limits.</t>
  8. 8<t>They scoff, and speak with malice;</t> <t>with arrogance they threaten oppression.</t>
  9. 9<t>Their mouths lay claim to heaven,</t> <t>and their tongues take possession of the earth.</t>
  10. 10<t>Therefore their people turn to them</t> <t>and drink up waters in abundance.<f>[139]</f></t>
  11. 11<t>They say, “How would God know?</t> <t>Does the Most High know anything?” <pb/></t>
  12. 12<t>This is what the wicked are like—</t> <t>always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. <pb/></t>
  13. 13<t>Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure</t> <t>and have washed my hands in innocence.</t>
  14. 14<t>All day long I have been afflicted,</t> <t>and every morning brings new punishments. <pb/></t>
  15. 15<t>If I had spoken out like that,</t> <t>I would have betrayed your children.</t>
  16. 16<t>When I tried to understand all this,</t> <t>it troubled me deeply</t>
  17. 17<t>till I entered the sanctuary of God;</t> <t>then I understood their final destiny. <pb/></t>
  18. 18<t>Surely you place them on slippery ground;</t> <t>you cast them down to ruin.</t>
  19. 19<t>How suddenly are they destroyed,</t> <t>completely swept away by terrors!</t>
  20. 20<t>They are like a dream when one awakes;</t> <t>when you arise, Lord,</t> <t>you will despise them as fantasies. <pb/></t>
  21. 21<t>When my heart was grieved</t> <t>and my spirit embittered,</t>
  22. 22<t>I was senseless and ignorant;</t> <t>I was a brute beast before you. <pb/></t>
  23. 23<t>Yet I am always with you;</t> <t>you hold me by my right hand.</t>
  24. 24<t>You guide me with your counsel,</t> <t>and afterward you will take me into glory.</t>
  25. 25<t>Whom have I in heaven but you?</t> <t>And earth has nothing I desire besides you.</t>
  26. 26<t>My flesh and my heart may fail,</t> <t>but God is the strength of my heart</t> <t>and my portion forever. <pb/></t>
  27. 27<t>Those who are far from you will perish;</t> <t>you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.</t>
  28. 28<t>But as for me, it is good to be near God.</t> <t>I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;</t> <t>I will tell of all your deeds.</t>