BOOK III

Psalms 73–89

Surely God Is Good to Israel

A Psalm of Asaph.

¹ Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure^* in heart.

² But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

my steps had nearly slipped.

³ For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ They have no struggle in their death;

their bodies are well-fed.

⁵ They are free of the burdens others carry;

they are not afflicted like other men.

⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace;

a garment of violence covers them.

⁷ From their prosperity proceeds iniquity;

the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

⁸ They mock and speak with malice;

with arrogance they threaten oppression.

⁹ They set their mouths against the heavens,

and their tongues strut across the earth.

¹⁰ So their people return to this place

and drink up waters in abundance.

¹¹ The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High have knowledge?”

¹² Behold, these are the wicked —

always carefree as they increase their wealth.

¹³ Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure;

in innocence I have washed my hands.

¹⁴ For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning.

¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak this way,”

then I would have betrayed Your children.

¹⁶ When I tried to understand all this,

it was troublesome in my sight

¹⁷ until I entered God’s sanctuary;

then I discerned their end.

¹⁸ Surely You set them on slick ground;

You cast them down into ruin.

¹⁹ How suddenly they are laid waste,^*

completely swept away by terrors!

²⁰ Like one waking from a dream,

so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.^*

²¹ When my heart was grieved

and I was pierced^* within,

²² I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before You.

²³ Yet I am always with You;

You hold my right hand.

²⁴ You guide me^* with Your counsel,

and later receive me^* in glory.^*

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You?

And on earth I desire no one besides You.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

²⁷ Those far from You will surely perish;

You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.

²⁸ But as for me, it is good to draw near to God.

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,

that I may proclaim all Your works.