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Psalms 73

Book Three (Psalms 73–89)

¹Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.

²But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

³For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

⁴They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.

⁵They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

⁶They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.

⁷These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!

⁸They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.

⁹They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.

¹⁰And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.

¹¹“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”

¹²Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

¹³Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

¹⁴I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

¹⁵If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.

¹⁶So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!

¹⁷Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

¹⁸Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

¹⁹In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.

²⁰When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

²¹Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

²²I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

²³Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

²⁴You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

²⁵Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

²⁶My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

²⁷Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.

²⁸But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Psalms 73 (NLT)

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Psalms

Chapter 73

73 of 150