Psalms - 73

1 - Truly God is good to Israel - , even to such as are of a clean heart.

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

3 - For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 - For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5 - They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6 - Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7 - Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8 - They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9 - They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 - Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11 - And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12 - Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13 - Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14 - For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15 - If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16 - When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17 - Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18 - Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19 - How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 - As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21 - Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22 - So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23 - Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 - Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 - Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 - My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 - For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 - But 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.