Psalms 73:1-25

¹BOOK THIRD: “A Psalm of Assaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure of heart.

²But as for me, it lacked but little that my feet had been moved: almost nothing was needed that my steps had slipped.

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

⁴For there are no deadly fetters for them, but their strength is firm.

⁵They share not in the trouble of mortals, and with men are they not afflicted.

⁶Therefore is pride their neck-chain: violence envelopeth them as a garment.

⁷Their eyes start out from fatness: they have exceeded their heart's imaginings.

⁸They scorn, and speak wickedly of oppression: loftily do they speak.

⁹They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh busily on the earth.

¹⁰Therefore do his people turn away hither: and waters of a full cup are drained by them.

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

¹²Behold, these are the wicked; and yet prospering continually they increase in wealth.

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

¹⁴While I was afflicted all the day, and my chastisement came every morning.

¹⁵But if I were to say, I will speak thus: behold, I would be treacherous against the generation of thy children.

¹⁶And when I should think to know this, it would be trouble in my eyes;

¹⁷Until I enter into the sanctuary of God; and understand what their future will be.

¹⁸Surely thou placest them on slippery spots: thou lettest them fall down into destruction.

¹⁹How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they perish, they come to their end with terrific events.

²⁰As a dream after awaking, O Lord, reject thou in wrath their image.

²¹For it fermented in my heart, and in my reins I felt sharp thrusts;

²²But I was indeed foolish, and I knew it not: I was as a thoughtless beast with thee.

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

²⁴With thy counsel wilt thou guide me, and afterward take me on to glory.

²⁵Whom have I in heaven? and beside thee I desire nothing upon earth.