A Psalm of Asaph.

1 God certainly is good to Israel,

To those who are pure in heart!

2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,

My steps *73:2 Lit were caused to sliphad almost slipped.

3 For I was envious of the *73:3 Or boastersarrogant

As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no pains in their death,

And their belly is fat.

5 They are not *73:5 Lit in the trouble of peoplein trouble like other people,

Nor are they tormented together with the rest of mankind.

6 Therefore arrogance is their necklace;

The garment of violence covers them.

7 Their eye *73:7 Lit goes forthbulges from fatness;

The imaginations of their heart overflow.

8 They mock and *73:8 Or they speak in wickedness; From on high they speak of oppressionwickedly speak of oppression;

They speak from on high.

9 They have set their mouth *73:9 Or inagainst the heavens,

And their tongue *73:9 Lit walksparades through the earth.

10 Therefore *73:10 Or Hishis people return here,

And abundant waters are drunk by them.

11 They say, "How does God know?

And is there knowledge *73:11 Lit inwith the Most High?"

12 Behold, these are the wicked;

And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.

13 Surely in vain I have *73:13 Or cleansed my heartkept my heart pure

And washed my hands in innocence;

14 For I have been stricken all day long,

And *73:14 Lit my punishmentpunished every morning.

15 If I had said, "I will speak this way,"

Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.

16 When I thought of understanding this,

It was *73:16 Lit labor, troubletroublesome in my sight

17 Until I entered the *73:17 Lit sanctuariessanctuary of God;

Then I perceived their end.

18 You indeed put them on slippery ground;

You dropped them into *73:18 Or deceptionruin.

19 How they are *73:19 Lit become a desolationdestroyed in a moment!

They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!

20 Like a dream when one awakes,

Lord, when stirred, You will despise their image.

21 When my heart was embittered

And I was pierced *73:21 Lit in my kidneyswithin,

22 Then I was stupid and ignorant;

I was like an animal *73:22 Lit with Youbefore You.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You have taken hold of my right hand.

24 You will guide me with Your plan,

And afterward receive me *73:24 Or with honorto glory.

25 Whom do I have in heaven but You?

And with You, I desire nothing on earth.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the *73:26 Lit rockstrength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;

You have destroyed all those who *73:27 Lit go to a whoring fromare unfaithful to You.

28 But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me;

I have made the Lord *73:28 Heb YHWH, usually rendered LordGod my refuge,

So that I may tell of all Your works.