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BOOK THREE

(Psalms 73–89)

Psalm 73

A psalm by Asaph.

Elohim is truly good to Israel,
    to those whose lives are pure.

But my feet had almost stumbled.
    They had almost slipped
        because I was envious of arrogant people
            when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.

They suffer no pain.
    Their bodies are healthy.
They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people.
    They are not plagued with problems like others.
That is why they wear arrogance like a necklace
    and acts of violence like clothing.
Their eyes peer out from their fat faces,[a]
    and their imaginations run wild.
They ridicule.
    They speak maliciously.
    They speak arrogantly about oppression.
They verbally attack heaven,
    and they order people around on earth.
10 That is why Elohim’s people turn to wickedness[b]
    and swallow their words.
11 Then wicked people ask, “What does Elohim know?”
    “Does Elyon know anything?”
12 Look how wicked they are!
    They never have a worry.
        They grow more and more wealthy.

13 I’ve received no reward for keeping my life pure
    and washing my hands of any blame.
14 I’m plagued with problems all day long,
    and every morning my punishment begins again.
15 If I had said, “I will continue to talk like that,”
    I would have betrayed Elohim’s people.

16 But when I tried to understand this,
    it was too difficult for me.
17 Only when I came into Elohim’s holy place
    did I finally understand what would happen to them.

18 You put them in slippery places
    and make them fall into ruin.
19 They are suddenly destroyed.
    They are completely swept away by terror!
20 As someone gets rid of a dream when he wakes up,
    so you, O Adonay, get rid of the thought of them
        when you wake up.

21 When my heart was filled with bitterness
    and my mind was seized with envy,
22 I was stupid, and I did not understand.
    I was like a dumb animal in your presence.
23 Yet, I am always with you.
    You hold on to my right hand.
24 With your advice you guide me,
    and in the end you will take me to glory.
25 As long as I have you,
    I don’t need anyone else in heaven or on earth.
26 My body and mind may waste away,
    but Elohim remains the foundation of my life
        and my inheritance forever.
27 Without a doubt, those who are far from you will die.
    You destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 Being united with Elohim is my highest good.
    I have made Adonay Yahweh my Machseh
        so that I may report everything that he has done.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 73:7 Hebrew meaning uncertain.
  2. Psalm 73:10 Hebrew meaning uncertain.

BOOK III

Psalms 73–89

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.(A)

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;(B)
    I had nearly lost my foothold.(C)
For I envied(D) the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.(E)

They have no struggles;
    their bodies are healthy and strong.[a]
They are free(F) from common human burdens;
    they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride(G) is their necklace;(H)
    they clothe themselves with violence.(I)
From their callous hearts(J) comes iniquity[b];
    their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;(K)
    with arrogance(L) they threaten oppression.(M)
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
    and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them
    and drink up waters in abundance.[c]
11 They say, “How would God know?
    Does the Most High know anything?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care,(N) they go on amassing wealth.(O)

13 Surely in vain(P) I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.(Q)
14 All day long I have been afflicted,(R)
    and every morning brings new punishments.

15 If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand(S) all this,
    it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary(T) of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.(U)

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;(V)
    you cast them down to ruin.(W)
19 How suddenly(X) are they destroyed,
    completely swept away(Y) by terrors!
20 They are like a dream(Z) when one awakes;(AA)
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.(AB)

21 When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless(AC) and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast(AD) before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.(AE)
24 You guide(AF) me with your counsel,(AG)
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?(AH)
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.(AI)
26 My flesh and my heart(AJ) may fail,(AK)
    but God is the strength(AL) of my heart
    and my portion(AM) forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;(AN)
    you destroy all who are unfaithful(AO) to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.(AP)
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;(AQ)
    I will tell of all your deeds.(AR)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 73:4 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text struggles at their death; / their bodies are healthy
  2. Psalm 73:7 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew Their eyes bulge with fat
  3. Psalm 73:10 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.