2.5 KiB
Psalm 73
- Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
- But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
- For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
- They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
- They don't have troubles like other people;
they're not plagued with problems like everyone else.
- They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
- These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
- They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
- They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
- And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
- "What does God know?" they ask.
"Does the Most High even know what's happening?"
- Look at these wicked people--
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
- Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
- I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
- If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
- So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
- Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
- Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
- In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
- When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
- Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
- I was so foolish and ignorant--
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
- Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
- You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
- Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
- My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
- Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
- But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.