A Psalm by Asaph.

73:1 Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone.

My steps had nearly slipped.

73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant,

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

73:4 For there are no struggles in their death,

but their strength is firm.

73:5 They are free from burdens of men,

neither are they plagued like other men.

73:6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck.

Violence covers them like a garment.

73:7 Their eyes bulge with fat.

Their minds pass the limits of conceit.

73:8 They scoff and speak with malice.

In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

73:9 They have set their mouth in the heavens.

Their tongue walks through the earth.

73:10 Therefore their people return to them,

and they drink up waters of abundance.

73:11 They say, "How does God know?

Is there knowledge in the Most High?"

73:12 Behold, these are the wicked.

Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

73:13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart,

and washed my hands in innocence,

73:14 For all day long have I been plagued,

and punished every morning.

73:15 If I had said, "I will speak thus;"

behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

73:16 When I tried to understand this,

it was too painful for me;

73:17 Until I entered God's sanctuary,

and considered their latter end.

73:18 Surely you set them in slippery places.

You throw them down to destruction.

73:19 How they are suddenly destroyed!

They are completely swept away with terrors.

73:20 As a dream when one wakes up,

so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

73:21 For my soul was grieved.

I was embittered in my heart.

73:22 I was so senseless and ignorant.

I was a brute beast before you.

73:23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you.

You have held my right hand.

73:24 You will guide me with your counsel,

and afterward receive me to glory.

73:25 Who do I have in heaven?

There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.

73:26 My flesh and my heart fails,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

73:27 For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish.

You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

73:28 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.