Psalms
BOOK THREE
(Psalms 73-89)
A melody of Aʹsaph.+
73 God is truly good to Israel, to those pure in heart.+
2 As for me, my feet had almost strayed;
My steps had nearly slipped.+
6 Therefore, haughtiness is their necklace;+
Violence clothes them as a garment.
7 Their prosperity* makes their eyes bulge;
They have exceeded the imaginations of the heart.
8 They scoff and say evil things.+
They arrogantly threaten oppression.+
9 They speak as if they were as high as heaven,
And their tongues swagger about in the earth.
10 So his people turn aside to them,
And they drink from their abundant water.
11 They say: “How does God know?+
Does the Most High really have knowledge?”
12 Yes, these are the wicked, who always have it easy.+
They keep increasing their wealth.+
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence.+
16 When I tried to understand it,
It was troubling to me
17 Until I entered the grand sanctuary of God,
And I discerned their future.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground.+
You make them fall to their ruin.+
19 How suddenly they are devastated!+
How sudden is their finish as they come to a terrible end!
20 Like a dream when one wakes up, O Jehovah,
When you rouse yourself, you will dismiss* their image.
22 I was unreasoning and lacked understanding;
I was like a senseless beast before you.
25 Whom do I have in the heavens?
And besides you I desire nothing on earth.+
27 Truly, those keeping far from you will perish.
You will put an end to* everyone who immorally* leaves you.+
28 But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me.+
I have made the Sovereign Lord Jehovah my refuge,
To declare all your works.+