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The Book of Psalms

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 73 -

God is surely good to Israel

1
A Psalme committed to Asaph. Yet God is good to Israel: euen, to the pure in heart.
2
As for me, my feete were almost gone: my steps had well neere slipt.
3
For I feared at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperitie of the wicked.
4
For there are no bandes in their death, but they are lustie and strong.
5
They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued with other men.
6
Therefore pride is as a chayne vnto them, and crueltie couereth them as a garment.
7
Their eyes stande out for fatnesse: they haue more then heart can wish.
8
They are licentious, and speake wickedly of their oppression: they talke presumptuously.
9
They set their mouth against heauen, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10
Therefore his people turne hither: for waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11
And they say, Howe doeth God know it? or is there knowledge in the most High?
12
Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches.
13
Certainely I haue clensed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie.
14
For dayly haue I bene punished, and chastened euery morning.
15
If I say, I will iudge thus, beholde the generation of thy children: I haue trespassed.
16
Then thought I to know this, but it was too painefull for me,
17
Vntill I went into the Sanctuarie of God: then vnderstoode I their ende.
18
Surely thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest them downe into desolation.
19
How suddenly are they destroyed, perished and horribly consumed,
20
As a dreame when one awaketh! O Lord, when thou raisest vs vp, thou shalt make their image despised.
21
Certainely mine heart was vexed, and I was pricked in my reines:
22
So foolish was I and ignorant: I was a beast before thee.
23
Yet I was alway with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24
Thou wilt guide me by thy counsell, and afterward receiue me to glory.
25
Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and I haue desired none in the earth with thee.
26
My flesh fayleth and mine heart also: but God is the strength of mine heart, and my portion for euer.
27
For loe, they that withdrawe themselues from thee, shall perish: thou destroyest all them that goe a whoring from thee.
28
As for me, it is good for me to draw neere to God: therefore I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy workes.

God is surely good to Israel

1
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 strength is firm.
5
They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
6
Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8
They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9
They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
10
Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
11
They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12
Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,
14
For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.
15
If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16
When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—
17
until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
18
Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
19
How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20
As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord,(b) when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21
For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22
I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23
Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
24
You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25
Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
26
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27
For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
28
But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord the LORD (c) my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Footnotes

(a)73:1 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
(b)73:20 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”
(c)73:28 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name.
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