NRSV Psalms 73 Chapter
73:1
Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart.
73:2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
73:3
For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
73:4
For they have no pain; their bodies are sound and sleek.
73:5
They are not in trouble as others are; they are not plagued like other people.
73:6
Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them like a garment.
73:7
Their eyes swell out with fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.
73:8
They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.
73:9
They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues range over the earth.
73:10
Therefore the people turn and praise them, and find no fault in them.
73:11
And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
73:12
Such are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.
73:13
All in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
73:14
For all day long I have been plagued, and am punished every morning.
73:15
If I had said, "I will talk on in this way," I would have been untrue to the circle of your children.
73:16
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
73:17
until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end.
73:18
Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
73:19
How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
73:20
They are like a dream when one awakes; on awaking you despise their phantoms.
73:21
When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
73:22
I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast toward you.
73:23
Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
73:24
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor.
73:25
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
73:27
Indeed, those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you.
73:28
But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, to tell of all your works.