Psalms 73

My feet had almost slipped

A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.a ²But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.b ³For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.c

⁴They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. ⁵They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. ⁶Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.

⁷From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. ⁸They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. ⁹They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.

¹⁰So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance. ¹¹The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” ¹²Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.

¹³Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands. ¹⁴For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning. ¹⁵If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.

¹⁶When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight ¹⁷until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end. ¹⁸Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.

¹⁹How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! ²⁰Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form. ²¹When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within, ²²I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.

²³Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.d ²⁴You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.e ²⁵Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.f

²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.g ²⁷Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.h ²⁸But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.i