Psalms 73
1HOW good is God to Israel! To such as are upright in heart!
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone: my steps had well nigh slipped;
3for I envied the unrighteous; when I saw the prosperity of sinners.
4For there is no lifting up of eyes in their death: and in their affliction they have support.
5They are not in trouble like other men; nor with other men to be scourged.
6Therefore haughtiness hath got a mastery over them—they have clothed themselves with their iniquity and impiety.
7Their iniquity springeth up as it were out of fatness; they passed on to the purpose of their heart.
8They thought and spoke wickedly—they spoke injustice with a lofty air.
9They set their mouth against heaven; and their tongue passed on over the earth.
10Shall my people therefore turn to this; and will full days be found by them?
11They indeed said, How doth God know? and, Is there any knowledge in the Most High?
12Behold these who are sinful men; are always prosperous and have gotten wealth.
13Nay, I myself said, Have I then in vain kept my heart just and washed my hands in innocence?
14All the day long I have been scourged; and the accusation against me is renewed every morning.
15Had I said, I will make such a declaration openly: I should have been treacherous to the generation of thy children.
16I therefore supposed, the trouble of knowing this is before me.
17When I go to the sanctuary of God; I may understand the final issue.
18It is but for their frauds Thou hast dealt thus with them. Thou hast overthrown them by their exaltation.
19O! how they were for destruction! They are gone in a moment! They perished for their iniquity!
20As a dream of one awakened out of sleep. Thou, O Lord, in Thy city wilt spurn their ghost;
21therefore my heart was cheered and my reins were changed.
22I indeed was despicable for my want of knowledge; I was brutish as a beast before Thee.
23As for me I shall be with Thee continually: Thou hast held me by my right hand:
24with Thy counsel Thou hast guided me, and taken me to thyself with glory.
25For what is there in heaven for me; or what on earth have I desired, besides Thee?
26Hath my heart and my flesh failed? God is the strength of my heart—God is my portion forever.
27Seeing they who withdrew themselves from Thee, shall perish—Thou hast cut off everyone who goeth a-whoring from Thee:
28It is therefore good for me to cleave to God—to place my hope upon the Lord: that I may publish all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.