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.
A Psalm of Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to those who are upright in heartBut my feet were nearly moved; my steps had nearly slippedFor I was zealous over the iniquitous, seeing the peacefulness of sinnersFor they have no respect for their death, nor do they have support in their woundsThey are not with the hardships of men, nor will they be scourged with menTherefore, arrogance has held on to them. They have been covered with their iniquity and impietyTheir iniquity has proceeded, as if from fat. They have parted from the affection of the heartThey have thought and spoken wickedness. They have spoken iniquity in high placesThey have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has traversed the earthTherefore, my people will be converted here, and fullness of days will be found in themAnd they said, "How would God know?" and, "Isn’t there knowledge in high places?Behold, these are sinners, and, abounding in this age, they have obtained richesAnd I said: So then, it is without purpose that I have justified my heart and washed my hands among the innocentAnd I have been scourged all day long, and I have received my chastisement in the morningsIf I were to say that I would explain this: Behold, I would condemn this nation of your sonsI considered, so that I might know this. It is a hardship before meuntil I may enter into the Sanctuary of God, and understand it to its last partSo, because of deceitfulness, truly, you have placed it before them. While they were being lifted up, you were casting them downHow have they been brought to desolation? They have suddenly failed. They have perished because of their iniquityAs a dream is to those who awaken, O Lord, so will you reduce their image to nothing in your cityFor my heart has been inflamed, and my temperament has been changedAnd so, I have been reduced to nothing, and I did not know itI have become like a beast of burden to you, and I am always with youYou have held my right hand. And in your will, you have conducted me, and with your glory, you have taken me upFor what is there for me in heaven? And what do I wish for on earth before youMy body has failed, and my heart: O God of my heart, and God my portion, into eternityFor behold, those who put themselves far from you will perish. You have perished all those who fornicate away from youBut 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
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