Psalms 73 · Clearspring

Psalms 73–89

A Psalm of Asaph.

Surely God Is Good to Israel

¹Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.+ ²But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.+ ³For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.+ ⁴For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.+ ⁵They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.+ ⁶Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.+ ⁷Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.+ ⁸They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.+ ⁹They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.+ ¹⁰Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.+ ¹¹And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?+ ¹²Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.+ ¹³Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.+ ¹⁴For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.+ ¹⁵If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.+ ¹⁶When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;+ ¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.+ ¹⁸Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.+ ¹⁹How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.+ ²⁰As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.+ ²¹Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.+ ²²So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.+ ²³Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.+ ²⁴Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.+ ²⁵Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.+ ²⁶My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.+ ²⁷For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.+ ²⁸But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.+

Surely God Is Good to Israel

Study Psalm 73