(KJV) Psalm 73¹

⥃Surely God Is Good to Israel

A Psalm of Asaph.

[1] Truly² God³ [is] good to Israel, [even] to such⁴ as are of a clean heart⁵. [2] But⁶ as for me, my feet⁷ were almost gone; my steps⁸ had well nigh slipped. [3] For I was⁹ envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [4] For [there are] no¹⁰ bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm¹¹. [5] They [are¹²] not in trouble [as other¹³] men; neither are they plagued like¹⁴ [other] men. [6] Therefore¹⁵ pride compasseth them about as a chain¹⁶; violence¹⁷ covereth¹⁸ them [as] a garment. [7] Their eyes¹⁹ stand out with fatness: they have²⁰ more than heart could wish. [8] They are corrupt²¹, and speak wickedly²² [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily²³. [9] They set²⁴ their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue²⁵ walketh through the earth. [10] Therefore his people return hither: and waters²⁶ of a full [cup] are wrung out to them. [11] And they say, How²⁷ doth God know? and is there²⁸ knowledge in the most High? [12] Behold, these²⁹ [are] the ungodly, who prosper³⁰ in the world; they³¹ increase [in] riches. [13] Verily³² I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed³³ my hands in innocency. [14] For all³⁴ the day long have I been plagued, and chastened³⁵ every morning. [15] If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend³⁶ [against] the generation³⁷ of thy children. [16] When³⁸ I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me³⁹; [17] Until⁴⁰ I went into the sanctuary of God; [then⁴¹] understood I their end. [18] Surely⁴² thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst⁴³ them down into destruction. [19] How⁴⁴ are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are⁴⁵ utterly consumed with terrors. [20] As a⁴⁶ dream when⁴⁷ [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their⁴⁸ image. [21] Thus my heart⁴⁹ was grieved, and I was pricked in my⁵⁰ reins. [22] So⁵¹ foolish [was] I, and ignorant⁵²: I was [a⁵³s] a beast before thee⁵⁴. [23] Nevertheless⁵⁵ I [am] continually with thee: thou hast⁵⁶ holden [me] by my right hand. [24] Thou⁵⁷ shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive⁵⁸ me [to] glory. [25] Whom⁵⁹ have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon⁶⁰ earth [that] I desire beside thee. [26] My flesh⁶¹ and my heart faileth: [but⁶²] God [is] the strength⁶³ of my heart, and my portion⁶⁴ for ever. [27] For, lo⁶⁵, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go⁶⁶ a whoring from thee. [28] But⁶⁷ [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may⁶⁸ declare all thy works.