Psalm 73
1Truly, God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped;
I had almost tripped and fallen;
3Because I envied the proud
and saw the prosperity of the wicked:
4For they suffer no pain,
and their bodies are sleek and sound;
5In the misfortunes of others they have no share;
they are not afflicted as others are;
6Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace
and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.
7Their iniquity comes from gross minds,
and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.
8They scoff and speak maliciously;
out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.
9They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their evil speech runs through the world.
10And so the people turn to them
and find in them no fault.
11They say, "How should God know?
is there knowledge in the Most High?"
12So then, these are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase their wealth.
13In vain have I kept my heart clean,
and washed my hands in innocence.
14I have been afflicted all day long,
and punished every morning.
15Had I gone on speaking this way,
I should have betrayed the generation of your children.
16When I tried to understand these things,
it was too hard for me;
17Until I entered the sanctuary of God
and discerned the end of the wicked.
18Surely, you set them in slippery places;
you cast them down in ruin.
19Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction,
come to an end, and perish from terror!
20Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord,
when you arise you will make their image vanish.
21When my mind became embittered,
I was sorely wounded in my heart.
22I was stupid and had no understanding;
I was like a brute beast in your presence.
23Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24You will guide me by your counsel,
and afterwards receive me with glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but you?
and having you I desire nothing upon earth.
26Though my flesh and my heart should waste away,
God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
27Truly, those who forsake you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful.
28But it is good for me to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.
29I will speak of all your works *
in the gates of the city of Zion.