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Psalms 73

BOOK THREE: Psalms 73—89

The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God

¹Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.

²But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.

³For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.

⁵They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.

⁶Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment.

⁷Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.

⁸They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily.

⁹They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.

¹⁰Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

¹¹And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”

¹²Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.

¹³Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.

¹⁴For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.

¹⁵If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.

¹⁶When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—

¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.

¹⁸Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

¹⁹Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

²⁰As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.

²¹Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.

²²I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.

²³Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.

²⁴You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

²⁵Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

²⁶My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.

²⁸But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.

Psalms 73 (NKJV)

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Psalms

Chapter 73

73 of 150