Psalm 73
Words: The Psalter of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, 1887 ed.
1 Yet God is good to Israel,
To each pure-hearted one.
With me my steps had nearly slipped
My feet were almost gone.
2 For I was envious, and grudgèd
The foolish ones to see
When I perceived that wicked men
Enjoyed prosperity.
3 Because their strength continues firm,
Their death from bands is free.
They are not toiled like other men,
Nor plagued as others be.
4 Their pride doth therefore like a chain
Encompass them about;
And, as a garment, violence
Doth cover them throughout.
5 Their eyes stand out with fat, they have
More than their hearts could wish.
They are corrupt; their talk of wrong
Both lewd and lofty is.
6 They set their mouth against the heavens
In their blaspheming talk;
And their reproaching tongue at large
Throughout the earth doth walk.
7 His people therefore, oftentimes
Look back, and turn about;
And in abundance unto them
The waters are wrung out.
8 And thus they say, How can it be
That God these things doth know?
Or, Can there in the Highest be
Knowledge of things below?
9 Behold, how these the wicked ones
Do prosper at their will
In worldly things; how they increase
In wealth and riches still!
10 I verily have sought in vain
My heart to purify;
And vainly also washed my hands
In innocence have I.
11 For daily, and all day throughout,
Great plagues I suffered have;
Yea, every morning I anew
Did chastisement receive.
12 If in this manner foolishly
To speak I would intend,
Thy children's generation then
Behold I should offend.
13 When I this thought to know, it was
Too hard a thing for me;
Till to God's holy place I went,
Then I their end did see.
14 Them set upon a slippery place
Assuredly thou hast;
And suddenly didst thou, O Lord,
Them to destruction cast.
15 How in a moment suddenly
To ruin brought are they!
With fearful terrors utterly
They are consumed away.
16 Even like an empty dream when one
From sleeping doth arise,
So thou, when thou awakest, Lord,
Their image shalt despise.
17 Thus grieved within me was my heart,
And me my reins oppressed;
So rude was I, and ignorant,
And in thy sight a beast.
18 Yet notwithstanding this, O Lord,
I ever am with thee;
Thou hast me held by my right hand;
And still upholdest me.
19 With thy good counsel while I live
Thou wilt me safely guide;
And into glory afterward
Receive me to abide.
20 O whom have I in heavens high
But thee, O Lord, alone?
And in the earth whom I desire
Besides thee there is none.
21 My flesh and heart do faint and fail,
But God my heart sustains;
The strength and portion of my heart
He evermore remains.
22 For lo, they that are far from thee
Forever perish shall;
And as for those who from thee stray,
Thou hast destroyed them all.
23 But surely it is good for me
That I draw near to God:
In God I trust, that all thy works
I may declare abroad.
