Noyes - Psalms - 73

73:1  Truly God is good to Israel,—To those who are pure in heart.

73:2  Yet my feet almost gave way; My steps had well nigh slipped:

73:3  For I was envious of the proud, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

73:4  For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.

73:5  They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten like other men.

73:6  Therefore pride encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.

73:7  From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.

73:8  They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;

73:9  They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;

73:10  Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.

73:11  And they say, "How doth God know? How can there be knowledge with the Most High?"

73:12  Behold these are the ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up riches.

73:13  Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

73:14  For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.

73:15  If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.

73:16  So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;

73:17  Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.

73:18  Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.

73:19  How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!

73:20  As a dream when one awaketh, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.

73:21  When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,

73:22  Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.

73:23  Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.

73:24  Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last receive me in glory.

73:25  Whom have I in heaven but thee, And whom on earth do I love in comparison with thee?

73:26  Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

73:27  For, lo! they who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves from thee.

73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God; I put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, That I may declare all thy works.