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The Book of Psalms

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

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- Chapter 73 -

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.

God is surely good to Israel

1
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.(a) (b) (c)
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.(d)
5
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.(e) (f)
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.(g)
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.(h)
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;(i)
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.(j) (k)
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.(l)
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.

Footnotes

(a)73:1 of: or, for
(b)73:1 Truly: or, Yet
(c)73:1 of…: Heb. clean of heart
(d)73:4 firm: Heb. fat
(e)73:5 in…: Heb. in the trouble of other men
(f)73:5 like: Heb. with
(g)73:7 have…: Heb. pass the thoughts of the heart
(h)73:14 chastened: Heb. my chastisement was
(i)73:16 too…: Heb. labour in mine eyes
(j)73:22 ignorant: Heb. I knew not
(k)73:22 before: Heb. with
(l)73:26 strength: Heb. rock
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