Psalm 73

HCSB

Psalm 73

God’s Ways Vindicated

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1} BOOK III
(Psalms 73–89)A psalm of Asaph.^(A)

God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.^(B)

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But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.^(C)

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For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.^(D)

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They have an easy time until they die,^(a)
and their bodies are well fed.^(b)^(E)

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They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people.^(F)

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Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment.^(G)

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Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.^(H)

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They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression.^(I)

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They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth.^(J)

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Therefore His people turn to them^(c)
and drink in their overflowing words.^(d)^(K)

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The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything?”^(L)

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Look at them—the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth.^(M)

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Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?^(N)

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For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.^(O)

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If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed Your people.^(e)^(P)

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When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless^(f)^(Q)

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until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny.^(R)

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Indeed, You put them in slippery places;
You make them fall into ruin.^(S)

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How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors.^(T)

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Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, You will despise their image.^(U)

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When I became embittered
and my innermost being^(g) was wounded,^(V)

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I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward You.^(W)

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Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand.^(X)

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You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me up in glory.^(h)^(Y)

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Who do I have in heaven but You?
And I desire nothing on earth but You.^(Z)

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My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength⁽ⁱ⁾ of my heart,
my portion forever.^(AA)

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Those far from You will certainly perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.^(AB)

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But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all You do.^(AC)

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 73:4: Lit For there are no pangs to their death

b. Psalm 73:4: Lit fat

c. Psalm 73:10: Lit turn here

d. Psalm 73:10: Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them

e. Psalm 73:15: Lit betrayed the generation of Your sons

f. Psalm 73:16: Lit it was trouble in my eyes

g. Psalm 73:21: Lit my kidneys

h. Psalm 73:24: Or will receive me with honor

i. Psalm 73:26: Lit rock

Cross references:

B. Psalm 73:1: Psalm 24:4; Psalm 51:10; Matthew 5:8

C. Psalm 73:2: Psalm 17:5; Psalm 66:9; Psalm 94:18

D. Psalm 73:3: Psalm 37:1; Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 24:1

E. Psalm 73:4: Job 21:23-24

F. Psalm 73:5: Job 21:4

G. Psalm 73:6: Psalm 37:35; Proverbs 16:29; Proverbs 21:24

H. Psalm 73:7: Job 15:27; Jeremiah 5:28

I. Psalm 73:8: Psalm 17:10; 2 Peter 2:18

J. Psalm 73:9: Revelation 13:6

K. Psalm 73:10: Job 15:16

L. Psalm 73:11: Job 22:13; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 10:11; Isaiah 29:15

M. Psalm 73:12: Psalm 49:6; Psalm 52:7; Jeremiah 49:31

N. Psalm 73:13: Psalm 26:6; Matthew 27:24

O. Psalm 73:14: Job 33:19; Psalm 38:6; Psalm 118:18

P. Psalm 73:15: Psalm 44:17; Psalm 89:33

Q. Psalm 73:16: Ecclesiastes 8:17

R. Psalm 73:17: Job 8:13; Psalm 37:38

S. Psalm 73:18: Psalm 35:6; Psalm 35:8

T. Psalm 73:19: Numbers 16:21; Job 18:11; Isaiah 47:11

U. Psalm 73:20: Psalm 35:23; Psalm 59:5; Psalm 78:65

V. Psalm 73:21: Psalm 109:22

W. Psalm 73:22: Job 11:12; Psalm 92:6

X. Psalm 73:23: Psalm 63:8

Y. Psalm 73:24: Psalm 49:15; Isaiah 58:11

Z. Psalm 73:25: Psalm 16:2; Philippians 3:8

AA. Psalm 73:26: Psalm 16:5; Psalm 38:10; Psalm 84:2

AB. Psalm 73:27: 1 Chronicles 5:25; Psalm 37:20

AC. Psalm 73:28: Psalm 40:5; Psalm 118:17