# Psalm 73 [[Ps-72|← Psalm 72]] | [[Psalm]] | [[Ps-74|Psalm 74 →]] *** ###### v1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. ###### v2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. ###### v3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ###### v4 For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. ###### v5 They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men. ###### v6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. ###### v7 Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit. ###### v8 They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression. ###### v9 They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth. ###### v10 Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance. ###### v11 They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" ###### v12 Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. ###### v13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence, ###### v14 For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning. ###### v15 If I had said, "I will speak thus"; behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. ###### v16 When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me, ###### v17 until I entered God's sanctuary, and considered their latter end. ###### v18 Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction. ###### v19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors. ###### v20 As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies. ###### v21 For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart. ###### v22 I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you. ###### v23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. ###### v24 You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ###### v25 Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. ###### v26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ###### v27 For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. ###### v28 But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. *** [[Ps-72|← Psalm 72]] | [[Psalm]] | [[Ps-74|Psalm 74 →]]