Psalm 73 Quam bonus Israel!
TRULY God is loving unto Israel: * even unto such as are of a clean heart.
2Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone, * my treadings had well-nigh slipt.
3And why? I was grieved at the wicked: * I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.
4For they are in no peril of death; * but are lusty and strong.
5They come in no misfortune like other folk; * neither are they plagued like other men.
6And this is the cause that they are so holden with pride, * and cruelty covereth them as a garment.
7Their eyes swell with fatness, * and they do even what they lust.
8They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy; * their talking is against the Most1 High.
9For they stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven, * and their tongue goeth through the world.
10Therefore fall the people unto them, * and thereout suck they no small advantage.
11Tush, say they, how should God perceive it? * is there knowledge in the Most High?
12Lo, these are the ungodly, * these prosper in the world, and these have riches in possession:
13And I said, Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, * and washed my2 hands in innocency.
14All the day long have I been punished, * and chastened every morning.
15Yea, and I had almost said even as they; * but lo, then I should have condemned the generation of thy children.
16Then thought I to understand this; * but it was too hard for me,
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God: * then understood I the end of these men;
18Namely, how thou dost set them in slippery places, * and castest them down, and destroyest them.
19O how suddenly do they consume, * perish, and come to a fearful end!
20Yea, even like as a dream when one awaketh; * so shalt thou make their image to vanish out of the city.
21Thus my heart was grieved, * and it went even through my reins.
22So foolish was I, and ignorant, * even as it were a beast before thee.
23Nevertheless, I am alway by thee; * for thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, * and after that receive me with glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but thee? * and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of thee.
26My flesh and my heart faileth; * but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27For lo, they that forsake thee shall perish; * thou hast destroyed all them that are unfaithful unto thee.
28But it is good for me to hold me fast by God, to put my trust in the Lord GOD, * and to speak of all thy works in the gates of the daughter of Sion.