1901 American Standard Version (ASV)

Psalms 73

1 The prophet, prevailing in a temptation, 2 sheweth the occasion thereof, the prosperity of the wicked: 13 the wound given thereby, diffidence. 15 The victory over it, knowledge of God's purpose, in destroying of the wicked, and sustaining the righteous.

 73:1 ¶ [[A Psalm of Asaph.]] Surely God is good to Israel, [Even] to such as are pure in heart.

 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.

 73:3 For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

 73:4 For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.

 73:5 They are not in trouble as [other] men; Neither are they plagued like [other] men.

 73:6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.

 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.

 73:8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.

 73:9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.

 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full [cup] are drained by them.

 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?

 73:12 Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

 73:13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;

 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning.

 73:15 If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

 73:16 When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;

 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

 73:18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

 73:19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

 73:21 For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:

 73:22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before thee.

 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.

 73:24 Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

 73:25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, [departing] from thee.

 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.