Psalm 73

New International Version

A 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 healthy and strong.^[1] 5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity^[2]; their evil imaginations have no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.^[3] 11 They say, ‘How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?’ 12 This is what the wicked are like – always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. 13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. 15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. 21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

King James Version

1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh; so , O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Elberfelder Bibel

from SCM Verlag

1 Ein Psalm. Von Asaf. Fürwahr, Gott ist Israel gut, denen, die reinen Herzens sind. (Ps 24:4; Ps 50:1) 2 Ich aber – fast wären meine Füße ausgeglitten, beinahe hätten gewankt meine Schritte. 3 Denn ich beneidete die Übermütigen, als ich das Wohlergehen der Gottlosen sah. (Job 21:7; Ps 10:5; Jer 12:1) 4 Denn keine Qualen ⟨haben sie bei⟩ ihrem Tod, und wohlgenährt ist ihr Leib^[1]. (Job 21:13) 5 In der Mühsal der Menschheit sind sie nicht, und sie werden nicht wie die ⟨anderen⟩ Menschen geplagt. 6 Deshalb umgibt sie Hochmut wie ein Halsgeschmeide, Gewalttat umhüllt sie wie ein Gewand. (Ps 109:18) 7 Es tritt aus dem Fett heraus ihr Auge;^[2] sie fahren daher in den Einbildungen des Herzens^[3]. 8 Sie höhnen und^[4] reden in Bosheit Bedrückendes, von oben herab reden sie^[5]. (Ps 12:5) 9 Sie setzen in den Himmel ihren Mund, und ihre Zunge ergeht sich auf der Erde. 10 Deshalb wendet sich^[6] hierher sein Volk, denn Wasser in Fülle wird bei ihnen geschlürft^[7]. 11 Ja, sie sprechen: Wie sollte Gott es wissen? Gibt es ein Wissen beim Höchsten? (Job 22:13; Ps 10:4) 12 Siehe, dies sind Gottlose und, immer sorglos^[8], erwerben sie sich Vermögen. 13 Fürwahr, umsonst habe ich mein Herz rein gehalten und in Unschuld gewaschen meine Hände; (Ps 26:6; Mal 3:14) 14 doch ich wurde geplagt den ganzen Tag, meine Züchtigung ist jeden Morgen da. (Job 7:18) 15 Wenn ich gesagt hätte: Ich will ebenso reden, siehe, so hätte ich treulos gehandelt an dem Geschlecht deiner Söhne. 16 Da dachte ich nach, um dies zu begreifen^[9]. Eine Mühe war es in meinen Augen, (Ec 1:17; Ec 8:17) 17 bis ich hineinging in das Heiligtum^[10] Gottes. Bedenken will ich ⟨dort⟩ ihr Ende^[11]. 18 Fürwahr, auf schlüpfrige ⟨Wege⟩ stellst du sie, du lässt sie in Täuschungen^[12] fallen. (Ps 35:6; Ps 55:24; Ps 92:8) 19 Wie sind sie so plötzlich zum Entsetzen geworden! Sie haben ein Ende gefunden, sind umgekommen in Schrecken. 20 Wie einen Traum nach dem Erwachen, so verachtest du, Herr, beim Aufstehen ihr Bild. 21 Als mein Herz erbittert war und es mich in meinen Nieren^[13] stach, 22 da war ich dumm und verstand^[14] nicht; ⟨wie⟩ ein Tier^[15] war ich bei dir. (Ps 92:7) 23 Doch ich bin stets bei dir. Du hast meine rechte Hand gefasst. 24 Nach deinem Rat leitest du mich, und nachher nimmst du mich in Herrlichkeit auf^[16]. (Isa 48:17) 25 Wen habe ich im Himmel? Und außer dir habe ich an nichts Gefallen auf der Erde. 26 Mag auch mein Leib und mein Herz vergehen – meines Herzens Fels und mein Teil ist Gott auf ewig. (La 3:24) 27 Denn siehe, es werden umkommen die, die sich von dir fernhalten. Du bringst zum Schweigen^[17] jeden, der dir die Treue bricht^[18]. 28 Ich aber: Gott zu nahen ist mir gut. Ich habe meine Zuversicht auf den Herrn, HERRN, gesetzt, zu erzählen alle deine Taten. (Ps 40:5; Ps 71:15)