Aa
Psalm 73
God’s Ways Vindicated
A psalm of Asaph.73:0 1Ch 16:5,7
1God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.73:1 Ps 24:4; 51:10; Mt 5:8
2But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.73:2 Ps 17:5; 66:9; 94:18
3For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.73:3 Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1

4They have an easy time until they die,73:4 Lit For there are no pangs to their death
and their bodies are well fed.73:4 Lit fat73:4 Jb 21:23–24
5They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people.73:5 Jb 21:4
6Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment.73:6 Ps 37:35; Pr 16:29; 21:24
7Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.73:7 Jb 15:27; Jr 5:28
8They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression.73:8 Ps 17:10; 2Pt 2:18; Jd 16
9They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth.73:9 Rv 13:6
10Therefore his people turn to them73:10 Lit turn here
and drink in their overflowing words.73:10 Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them73:10 Jb 15:16
11The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything?” 73:11 Jb 22:13; Ps 10:4,11; Is 29:15
12Look at them — the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth.73:12 Ps 49:6; 52:7; Jr 49:31

13Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?73:13 Ps 26:6; Mt 27:24
14For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.73:14 Jb 33:19; Ps 38:6; 118:18
15If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed your people.73:15 Lit betrayed the generation of your sons73:15 Ps 44:17; 89:33
16When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless73:16 Lit it was trouble in my eyes73:16 Ec 8:17
17until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny.73:17 Jb 8:13; Ps 37:38
18Indeed, you put them in slippery places;
you make them fall into ruin.73:18 Ps 35:6,8
19How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors.73:19 Nm 16:21; Jb 18:11; Is 47:11
20Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, you will despise their image.73:20 Ps 35:23; 59:5; 78:65

21When I became embittered
and my innermost being73:21 Lit my kidneys was wounded,73:21 Ps 109:22
22I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward you.73:22 Jb 11:12; Ps 92:6
23Yet I am always with you;
you hold my right hand.73:23 Ps 63:8
24You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me up in glory.73:24 Or will receive me with honor73:24 Ps 49:15; Is 58:11
25Who do I have in heaven but you?
And I desire nothing on earth but you.73:25 Ps 16:2; Php 3:8
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength73:26 Lit rock of my heart,
my portion forever.73:26 Ps 16:5; 38:10; 84:2
27Those far from you will certainly perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.73:27 1Ch 5:25; Ps 37:20
28But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all you do.73:28 Ps 40:5; 118:17