Thematic Bible

Psalm 73:1

Truly God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart.

Psalm 73:2


But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.

Psalm 73:3


For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalm 73:4


For there are no pains in their death,
Their body is fat and pampered.

Psalm 73:5


They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind.

Psalm 73:6


Therefore pride is their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe].

Psalm 73:7


Their eye bulges from fatness [they have more than the heart desires];
The imaginations of their mind run riot [with foolishness].

Psalm 73:8


They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak loftily [with malice].

Psalm 73:9


They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue swaggers through the earth.

Psalm 73:10


Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance [offered by the irreverent] are [blindly] drunk by them.

Psalm 73:11


They say, “How does God know?
Is there knowledge [of us] with the Most High?”

Psalm 73:12


Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who always prosper and are at ease [in the world]; they have increased in wealth.

Psalm 73:13


Surely then in vain I have cleansed my heart
And washed my hands in innocence.

Psalm 73:14


For all the day long have I been stricken,
And punished every morning.

Psalm 73:15


If I had said, “I will say this,” [and expressed my feelings],
I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.

Psalm 73:16


When I considered how to understand this,
It was too great an effort for me and too painful

Psalm 73:17


Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood [for I considered] their end.

Psalm 73:18


Surely You set the wicked-minded and immoral on slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.

Psalm 73:19


How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are completely swept away by sudden terrors!

Psalm 73:20


Like a dream [which seems real] until one awakens,
O Lord, when stirred, [You observe the wicked], You will despise their image.

Psalm 73:21


When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within [as with the fang of an adder],

Psalm 73:22


Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.

Psalm 73:23


Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.

Psalm 73:24


You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to honor and glory.

Psalm 73:25


Whom have I in heaven [but You]?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

Psalm 73:26


My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:27


For behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful and have abandoned You.

Psalm 73:28


But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him,
That I may tell of all Your works.