Psalm 73 (ASV) - [A Psalm of Asaph.] Surely

Psa 73:1

A Psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,

Even to such as are pure in heart.

Psa 73:2

But as for me, my feet were almost gone;

My steps had well nigh slipped.

Psa 73:3

For I was envious at the arrogant,

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psa 73:4

For there are no pangs in their death;

But their strength is firm.

Psa 73:5

They are not in trouble as other men;

Neither are they plagued like other men.

Psa 73:6

Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck;

Violence covereth them as a garment.

Psa 73:7

Their eyes stand out with fatness:

They have more than heart could wish.

Psa 73:8

They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression:

They speak loftily.

Psa 73:9

They have set their mouth in the heavens,

And their tongue walketh through the earth.

Psa 73:10

Therefore his people return hither:

And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

Psa 73:11

And they say, How doth God know?

And is there knowledge in the Most High?

Psa 73:12

Behold, these are the wicked;

And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

Psa 73:13

Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart,

And washed my hands in innocency;

Psa 73:14

For all the day long have I been plagued,

And chastened every morning.

Psa 73:15

If I had said, I will speak thus;

Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

Psa 73:16

When I thought how I might know this,

It was too painful for me;

Psa 73:17

Until I went into the sanctuary of God,

And considered their latter end.

Psa 73:18

Surely thou settest them in slippery places:

Thou castest them down to destruction.

Psa 73:19

How are they become a desolation in a moment!

They are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psa 73:20

As a dream when one awaketh,

So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

Psa 73:21

For my soul was grieved,

And I was pricked in my heart:

Psa 73:22

So brutish was I, and ignorant;

I was as a beast before thee.

Psa 73:23

Nevertheless I am continually with thee:

Thou hast holden my right hand.

Psa 73:24

Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel,

And afterward receive me to glory.

Psa 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but thee?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

Psa 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

Psa 73:27

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish:

Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, departing from thee.

Psa 73:28

But it is good for me to draw near unto God:

I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge,

That I may tell of all thy works.

Psalm 73 :: American Standard Version (ASV)

The End of the Wicked contrasted with that of the Righteous.