73:1  A Psalm by Asaph. 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.