微读圣经

BOOK THREE

Psalms 73–89

The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God

A Psalm of Asaph.

1Truly God is good to Israel,

To such as are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

My steps had nearly slipped.

3For I was envious of the boastful,

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4For there are no 73:4 painspangs in their death,

But their strength is firm.

5They are not in trouble as other men,

Nor are they plagued like other men.

6Therefore pride serves as their necklace;

Violence covers them like a garment.

7Their 73:7 Tg. face bulges; LXX, Syr., Vg. iniquity bulgeseyes bulge with abundance;

They have more than heart could wish.

8They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;

They speak 73:8 Proudlyloftily.

9They set their mouth against the heavens,

And their tongue walks through the earth.

10Therefore his people return here,

And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

11And they say, “How does God know?

And is there knowledge in the Most High?”

12Behold, these are the ungodly,

Who are always at ease;

They increase in riches.

13Surely I have 73:13 kept my heart pure in vaincleansed my heart in vain,

And washed my hands in innocence.

14For all day long I have been plagued,

And chastened every morning.

15If I had said, “I will speak thus,”

Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.

16When I thought how to understand this,

It was 73:16 troublesome in my eyestoo painful for me—

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God;

Then I understood their end.

18Surely You set them in slippery places;

You cast them down to destruction.

19Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!

They are utterly consumed with terrors.

20As a dream when one awakes,

So, Lord, when You awake,

You shall despise their image.

21Thus my heart was grieved,

And I was 73:21 Lit. pierced in my kidneysvexed in my mind.

22I was so foolish and ignorant;

I was like a beast before You.

23Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You hold me by my right hand.

24You will guide me with Your counsel,

And afterward receive me to glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

26My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the 73:26 Lit. rockstrength of my heart and my portion forever.

27For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;

You have destroyed all those who 73:27 Are unfaithful to Youdesert You for harlotry.

28But it is good for me to draw near to God;

I have put my trust in the Lord God,

That I may declare all Your works.