Psalm 73

¹   Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
²   But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
³   For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
⁴   For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
⁵   They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
⁶   Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
⁷   Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
⁸   They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
⁹   They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
¹⁰   Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
¹¹   And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
¹²   Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
¹³   Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
¹⁴   For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
¹⁵   If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
¹⁶   When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
¹⁷   Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
¹⁸   Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
¹⁹   How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
²⁰   As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
²¹   Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
²²   So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
²³   Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
²⁴   Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
²⁵   Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
²⁶   My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
²⁷   For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
²⁸   But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

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