Psalms 73

1Understanding for Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off unto the end: why is thy wrath enkindled against the sheep of thy pasture?

1Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

2Remember thy congregation, which thou hast possessed from the beginning. The sceptre of thy inheritance which thou hast redeemed: mount Sion in which thou hast dwelt.

2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3Lift up thy hands against their pride unto the end; see what things the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.

3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4And they that hate thee have made their boasts, in the midst of thy solemnity. They have set up their ensigns for signs,

4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5And they knew not both in the going out and on the highest top. As with axes in a wood of trees,

5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6They have cut down at once the gates thereof, with axe and hatchet they have brought it down.

6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7They have set fire to thy sanctuary: they have defiled the dwelling place of thy name on the earth.

7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8They said in their heart, the whole kindred of them together: Let us abolish all the festival days of God from the land.

8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9Our signs we have not seen, there is now no prophet: and he will know us no more.

9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10How long, O God, shall the enemy reproach: is the adversary to provoke thy name for ever?

10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11Why dost thou turn away thy hand: and thy right hand out of the midst of thy bosom for ever?

11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12But God is our king before ages: he hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.

12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13Thou by thy strength didst make the sea firm: thou didst crush the heads of the dragons in the waters.

13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon: thou hast given him to be meat for the people of the Ethiopians.

14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15Thou hast broken up the fountains and the torrents: thou hast dried up the Ethan rivers.

15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16Thine is the day, and thine is the night: thou hast made the morning light and the sun.

16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17Thou hast made all the borders of the earth: the summer and the spring were formed by thee.

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18Remember this, the enemy hath reproached the Lord: and a foolish people hath provoked thy name.

18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19Deliver not up to beasts the souls that confess to thee: and forget not to the end the souls of thy poor.

19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20Have regard to thy covenant: for they that are the obscure of the earth have been filled with dwellings of iniquity.

20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21Let not the humble be turned away with confusion: the poor and needy shall praise thy name.

21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22Arise, O God, judge thy own cause: remember thy reproaches with which the foolish man hath reproached thee all the day.

22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23Forget not the voices of thy enemies: the pride of them that hate thee ascendeth continually.

23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24(not in this translation)

24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25(not in this translation)

25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26(not in this translation)

26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27(not in this translation)

27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28(not in this translation)

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 thy works.