Psalm 73 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

BOOK THREE (Psalms 73–89)

Psa 73:1

Psa 73:1A psalm of Asaph.

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

Psa 73:2

Psa 73:2But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

Psa 73:3

Psa 73:3For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

Psa 73:4

Psa 73:4They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.

Psa 73:5

Psa 73:5They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

Psa 73:6

Psa 73:6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.

Psa 73:7

Psa 73:7These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!

Psa 73:8

Psa 73:8They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.

Psa 73:9

Psa 73:9They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.

Psa 73:10

Psa 73:10And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.

Psa 73:11

Psa 73:11“What does God know?” they ask.
“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”

Psa 73:12

Psa 73:12Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

Psa 73:13

Psa 73:13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

Psa 73:14

Psa 73:14I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.

Psa 73:15

Psa 73:15If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.

Psa 73:16

Psa 73:16So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!

Psa 73:17

Psa 73:17Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

Psa 73:18

Psa 73:18Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

Psa 73:19

Psa 73:19In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.

Psa 73:20

Psa 73:20When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

Psa 73:21

Psa 73:21Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.

Psa 73:22

Psa 73:22I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Psa 73:23

Psa 73:23Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.

Psa 73:24

Psa 73:24You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.

Psa 73:25

Psa 73:25Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.

Psa 73:26

Psa 73:26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

Psa 73:27

Psa 73:27Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.

Psa 73:28

Psa 73:28But 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.

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