Psalms.
Chapter 73.
A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, Even to such as are pure in heart. 
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped. 
For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 
For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm. 
They are not in trouble as other men; Neither are they plagued like other men. 
Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment. 
Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish. 
They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily. 
They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth. 
Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full cup are drained by them. 
And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? 
Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches. 
Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency; 
For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning. 
If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children. 
When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me; 
Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end. 
Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction. 
How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 
As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image. 
For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart: 
So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee. 
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand. 
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 
Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. 
My flesh and my heart faileth; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, departing from thee. 
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. 
