73:1 A psalm of Asaf: How good God is to Isra’el, to those who are pure in heart!
73:2 But as for me, I lost my balance, my feet nearly slipped,
73:3 when I grew envious of the arrogant and saw how the wicked prosper.
73:4 For when their death comes, it is painless; and meanwhile, their bodies are healthy;
73:5 they don’t have ordinary people’s troubles, they aren’t plagued like others.
73:6 So for them, pride is a necklace; and violence clothes them like a robe.
73:7 Their eyes peep out through folds of fat; evil thoughts overflow from their hearts.
73:8 They scoff and speak with malice, they loftily utter threats.
73:9 They set their mouths against heaven; their tongues swagger through the earth.
73:10 Therefore his people return here and [thoughtlessly] suck up that whole cup of water.
73:11 Then they ask, “How does God know? Does the Most High really have knowledge?”
73:12 Yes, this is what the wicked are like; those free of misfortune keep increasing their wealth.
73:13 It’s all for nothing that I’ve kept my heart clean and washed my hands, staying free of guilt;
73:14 for all day long I am plagued; my punishment comes every morning.
73:15 If I had said, “I will talk like them,” I would have betrayed a generation of your children.
73:16 When I tried to understand all this, I found it too hard for me —
73:17 until I went into the sanctuaries of God and grasped what their destiny would be.
73:18 Indeed, you place them on a slippery slope and make them fall to their ruin.
73:19 How suddenly they are destroyed, swept away by terrors!
73:20 They are like a dream when one awakens; Adonai, when you rouse yourself, you will despise their phantoms.
73:21 When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions,
73:22 I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you.
73:23 Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand.
73:24 You will guide me with your advice; and afterwards, you will receive me with honor.
73:25 Whom do I have in heaven but you? And with you, I lack nothing on earth.
73:26 My mind and body may fail; but God is the rock for my mind and my portion forever.
73:27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you.
73:28 But for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made Adonai Elohim my refuge, so that I can tell of all your works.
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