Psalm 73 Holman Christian Standard Bible
BOOK III
(Psalms 73–89)
Psalm 73
God’s Ways Vindicated
A psalm of Asaph.(A)
1 God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.(B)
2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.(C)
3 For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.(D)
4 They have an easy time until they die,[a]
and their bodies are well fed.[b](E)
5 They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people.(F)
6 Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment.(G)
7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.(H)
8 They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression.(I)
9 They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth.(J)
10 Therefore His people turn to them[c]
and drink in their overflowing words.[d](K)
11 The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything?”(L)
12 Look at them—the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth.(M)
13 Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?(N)
14 For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.(O)
15 If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed Your people.[e](P)
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless[f](Q)
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny.(R)
18 Indeed, You put them in slippery places;
You make them fall into ruin.(S)
19 How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors.(T)
20 Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, You will despise their image.(U)
21 When I became embittered
and my innermost being[g] was wounded,(V)
22 I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward You.(W)
23 Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand.(X)
24 You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me up in glory.[h](Y)
25 Who do I have in heaven but You?
And I desire nothing on earth but You.(Z)
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[i] of my heart,
my portion forever.(AA)
27 Those far from You will certainly perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.(AB)
28 But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all You do.(AC)
Footnotes
- Psalm 73:4 Lit For there are no pangs to their death
- Psalm 73:4 Lit fat
- Psalm 73:10 Lit turn here
- Psalm 73:10 Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them
- Psalm 73:15 Lit betrayed the generation of Your sons
- Psalm 73:16 Lit it was trouble in my eyes
- Psalm 73:21 Lit my kidneys
- Psalm 73:24 Or will receive me with honor
- Psalm 73:26 Lit rock
Cross references
- 73:title : 1Ch 16:5, 7
- 73:1 : Ps 24:4; 51:10; Mt 5:8
- 73:2 : Ps 17:5; 66:9; 94:18
- 73:3 : Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1
- 73:4 : Jb 21:23-24
- 73:5 : Jb 21:4
- 73:6 : Ps 37:35; Pr 16:29; 21:24
- 73:7 : Jb 15:27; Jr 5:28
- 73:8 : Ps 17:10; 2Pt 2:18; Jd 16
- 73:9 : Rv 13:6
- 73:10 : Jb 15:16
- 73:11 : Jb 22:13; Ps 10:4, 11; Is 29:15
- 73:12 : Ps 49:6; 52:7; Jr 49:31
- 73:13 : Ps 26:6; Mt 27:24
- 73:14 : Jb 33:19; Ps 38:6; 118:18
- 73:15 : Ps 44:17; 89:33
- 73:16 : Ec 8:17
- 73:17 : Jb 8:13; Ps 37:38
- 73:18 : Ps 35:6, 8
- 73:19 : Nm 16:21; Jb 18:11; Is 47:11
- 73:20 : Ps 35:23; 59:5; 78:65
- 73:21 : Ps 109:22
- 73:22 : Jb 11:12; Ps 92:6
- 73:23 : Ps 63:8
- 73:24 : Ps 49:15; Is 58:11
- 73:25 : Ps 16:2; Php 3:8
- 73:26 : Ps 16:5; 38:10; 84:2
- 73:27 : 1Ch 5:25; Ps 37:20
- 73:28 : Ps 40:5; 118:17
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