Psalms 73
The psalmist initially envies the prosperity of the wicked, feeling that his own righteousness has been in vain. However, upon entering God's sanctuary, he gains a deeper understanding and realizes that the wicked will ultimately be cast down and destroyed. The psalmist then affirms his trust in God, recognizing that his own strength and hope come from Him. He concludes that it is good to adhere to God and put his hope in the Lord, and that those who turn away from God will ultimately perish.
1A Psalm of Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to those who are upright in heart2But my feet were nearly moved; my steps had nearly slipped3For I was zealous over the iniquitous, seeing the peacefulness of sinners4For they have no respect for their death, nor do they have support in their wounds5They are not with the hardships of men, nor will they be scourged with men6Therefore, arrogance has held on to them. They have been covered with their iniquity and impiety7Their iniquity has proceeded, as if from fat. They have parted from the affection of the heart8They have thought and spoken wickedness. They have spoken iniquity in high places9They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has traversed the earth10Therefore, my people will be converted here, and fullness of days will be found in them11And they said, "How would God know?" and, "Isn’t there knowledge in high places?12Behold, these are sinners, and, abounding in this age, they have obtained riches13And I said: So then, it is without purpose that I have justified my heart and washed my hands among the innocent14And I have been scourged all day long, and I have received my chastisement in the mornings15If I were to say that I would explain this: Behold, I would condemn this nation of your sons16I considered, so that I might know this. It is a hardship before me17until I may enter into the Sanctuary of God, and understand it to its last part18So, because of deceitfulness, truly, you have placed it before them. While they were being lifted up, you were casting them down19How have they been brought to desolation? They have suddenly failed. They have perished because of their iniquity20As a dream is to those who awaken, O Lord, so will you reduce their image to nothing in your city21For my heart has been inflamed, and my temperament has been changed22And so, I have been reduced to nothing, and I did not know it23I have become like a beast of burden to you, and I am always with you24You have held my right hand. And in your will, you have conducted me, and with your glory, you have taken me up25For what is there for me in heaven? And what do I wish for on earth before you26My body has failed, and my heart: O God of my heart, and God my portion, into eternity27For behold, those who put themselves far from you will perish. You have perished all those who fornicate away from you28But it is good for me to adhere to God, to put my hope in the Lord God, so that I may announce all your prophecies, at the gates of the daughter of Zion
Share this chapter