Psalm 73

1Surely God is good to Israel, to the pure of heart.

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

3For I was jealous of the boasters when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4For there are no pangs at their death, and their strength is firm.

5They are not in mortals' toil, nor are they plagued like men.

6Therefore pride encircles them as a chain; violence cloaks them as a garment.

7Their eyes protrude with fat; they exceed the heart's conceits.

8They mock and speak wickedly about oppression; arrogantly they speak.

9They place their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.

10Therefore his people return here again, and full waters are wrung out to them.

11They say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?"

12See, these are the wicked, forever at ease; they increase in wealth.

13Surely I have cleansed my heart for nothing, and washed my hands in innocence.

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

15If I had said, "I will speak like this," behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

16When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight.

17Until I entered God's sanctuaries, I understood their end.

18Surely you set them in smooth places; you cast them down to desolations.

19How they became a desolation in a moment! They perished completely in terrors.

20Like a dream when one awakes, Lord, when you rouse yourself you will disdain their image.

21For my heart was embittered, and I was pierced in my inmost parts.

22I was brutish and did not understand—like beasts with you.

23Yet I am always with you. You have held me by my right hand.

24You will lead me with your counsel, and afterward take me to glory.

25Who do I have in heaven but you? I delight in no one on earth.

26My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the rock of my heart and my portion forever.

27Surely, those who are far from you will perish. You have cut off all who play the harlot from you.

28But as for me, nearness to God is good for me; I have set the Lord Yahweh as my refuge, to declare all your works.