Psalm 73 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)

Psalm 73

God’s Ways Vindicated

A psalm of Asaph.(A)

1 God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.(B)
2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.(C)
3 For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.(D)

4 They have an easy time until they die,[a]
and their bodies are well fed.[b](E)
5 They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people.(F)
6 Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment.(G)
7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.(H)
8 They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression.(I)
9 They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth.(J)
10 Therefore his people turn to them[c]
and drink in their overflowing words.[d](K)
11 The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything?” (L)
12 Look at them—the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth.(M)

13 Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?(N)
14 For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.(O)
15 If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed your people.[e](P)
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless[f](Q)
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny.(R)
18 Indeed, you put them in slippery places;
you make them fall into ruin.(S)
19 How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors.(T)
20 Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, you will despise their image.(U)

21 When I became embittered
and my innermost being[g] was wounded,(V)
22 I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward you.(W)
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold my right hand.(X)
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me up in glory.[h](Y)
25 Who do I have in heaven but you?
And I desire nothing on earth but you.(Z)
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[i] of my heart,
my portion forever.(AA)
27 Those far from you will certainly perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.(AB)
28 But 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.(AC)

Footnotes

  1. 73:4 Lit For there are no pangs to their death
  2. 73:4 Lit fat
  3. 73:10 Lit turn here
  4. 73:10 Lit and waters of fullness are drained by them
  5. 73:15 Lit betrayed the generation of your sons
  6. 73:16 Lit it was trouble in my eyes
  7. 73:21 Lit my kidneys
  8. 73:24 Or will receive me with honor
  9. 73:26 Lit rock

Cross references

  1. 73:0 : 1Ch 16:5,7
  2. 73:1 : Ps 24:4; 51:10; Mt 5:8
  3. 73:2 : Ps 17:5; 66:9; 94:18
  4. 73:3 : Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1
  5. 73:4 : Jb 21:23–24
  6. 73:5 : Jb 21:4
  7. 73:6 : Ps 37:35; Pr 16:29; 21:24
  8. 73:7 : Jb 15:27; Jr 5:28
  9. 73:8 : Ps 17:10; 2Pt 2:18; Jd 16
  10. 73:9 : Rv 13:6
  11. 73:10 : Jb 15:16
  12. 73:11 : Jb 22:13; Ps 10:4,11; Is 29:15
  13. 73:12 : Ps 49:6; 52:7; Jr 49:31
  14. 73:13 : Ps 26:6; Mt 27:24
  15. 73:14 : Jb 33:19; Ps 38:6; 118:18
  16. 73:15 : Ps 44:17; 89:33
  17. 73:16 : Ec 8:17
  18. 73:17 : Jb 8:13; Ps 37:38
  19. 73:18 : Ps 35:6,8
  20. 73:19 : Nm 16:21; Jb 18:11; Is 47:11
  21. 73:20 : Ps 35:23; 59:5; 78:65
  22. 73:21 : Ps 109:22
  23. 73:22 : Jb 11:12; Ps 92:6
  24. 73:23 : Ps 63:8
  25. 73:24 : Ps 49:15; Is 58:11
  26. 73:25 : Ps 16:2; Php 3:8
  27. 73:26 : Ps 16:5; 38:10; 84:2
  28. 73:27 : 1Ch 5:25; Ps 37:20
  29. 73:28 : Ps 40:5; 118:17

You Might Also Like:

Psalm 73 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

73 A Psalm of Asaph. Only -- good to Israel [is] God, to the clean of heart. And I -- as a little thing, My feet have been turned aside, 2 As nothing, have my steps slipped, For I have been envious of the boastful, 3 The peace of the wicked I see, That there are no bands at their death, 4 And their ...
Read More

Psalm 73 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

73 The psalm of Asaph. God of Israel is full good; to them that be of rightful heart. (The song of Asaph. The God of Israel is very good; to those who have an upright heart.) 2 But my feet were moved almost; my steps were shed out almost. (But my feet almost stumbled; my steps almost slipped.) 3 For...
Read More

Psalm 73 - World English Bible (WEB)

BOOK 3A Psalm by Asaph.73 Surely God[a] is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.4 For there are no struggles in their death, but their strengt...
Read More

Psalm 73 - The Voice (VOICE)

Book ThreeMany of the psalms in Book Three (Psalms 73–89) are attributed to Asaph. He was a Levite musician appointed by David to lead the worship that surrounded the covenant chest in the congregation tent (1 Chronicles 16:4–6). Asaph and his descendants continued this work through much of Israel’s...
Read More

Psalm 73 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

God Is the Strength of My HeartPsalm 731 A psalm of Asaph.Surely God is good to Israel,to the pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped.My steps nearly slid out from under me.3 For I envied the arrogant,when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.4 For there are no pains at their death,their...
Read More

Psalm 73 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

BOOK IIIPlea for Relief from OppressorsA Psalm of Asaph.73 Truly God is good to the upright,to those who are pure in heart.[a]2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had well nigh slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no ...
Read More

Psalm 73 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

BOOK IIIPlea for Relief from OppressorsA Psalm of Asaph.73 Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart.[a]2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had well nigh slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

BOOK III(Psalms 73–89)Psalm 73Plea for Relief from OppressorsA Psalm of Asaph.1 Truly God is good to the upright,[a] to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

BOOK III(Psalms 73–89)Psalm 73Plea for Relief from OppressorsA Psalm of Asaph.1 Truly God is good to the upright,[a] to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Book III(Psalms 73–89)Psalm 73Plea for Relief from OppressorsA Psalm of Asaph.1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.(A)2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.(B)3 For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.(C)4 For...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Book three (Psalms 73–89)Psalm 73A psalm of Asaph.1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.4 They seem to live such p...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Good and the Sinful73 For sure God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet came close to falling. My steps had almost tripped. 3 For I was jealous of the proud when I saw that all was going well with the sinful. 4 For they suffer no pain in their death, and...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New King James Version (NKJV)

BOOK THREEPsalms 73–89The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in GodA Psalm of (A)Asaph.73 Truly God is good to Israel,To such as are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;My steps had nearly (B)slipped.3 (C)For I was envious of the boastful,When I saw the prospe...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Book IIIPsalms 73 – 89Psalm 73A psalm of Asaph.1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are he...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New International Version (NIV)

BOOK IIIPsalms 73–89Psalm 73A psalm of Asaph.1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.(A) 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;(B) I had nearly lost my foothold.(C)3 For I envied(D) the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.(E) 4 They have no struggles; their ...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

BOOK IIIPsalms 73–89Psalm 73A psalm of Asaph.1 God is truly good to Israel. He is good to those who have pure hearts. 2 But my feet had almost slipped. I had almost tripped and fallen.3 I saw that proud and sinful people were doing well. And I began to long for what they had. 4 They don’t have any t...
Read More

Psalm 73 - New English Translation (NET)

Book 3 (Psalms 73-89)Psalm 73[a]A psalm by Asaph.73 Certainly God is good to Israel,[b]and to those whose motives are pure.[c]2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped;my feet almost slid out from under me.[d]3 For I envied those who are proud,as I observed[e] the prosperity[f] of the wicked.4 For the...
Read More