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Psalm 73-74
BOOK III Psalm 73 1A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
6Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7From their callous hearts comes iniquity
8They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
11They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
12This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
14All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
20They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28But 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.
Psalm 74
1A maskil
2Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
3Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
4Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.
5They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.
6They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.
7They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
10How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?
11Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
12But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.
13It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
14It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
15It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
16The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
17It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
18Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.
19Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
20Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
21Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.
22Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. 23Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.