Psalms 73
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1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, [Even] to such as are pure in heart.
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2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.
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3 For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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4 For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.
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5 They are not in trouble as [other] men; Neither are they plagued like [other] men.
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6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.
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7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.
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8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.
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9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.
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10 Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full [cup] are drained by them.
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11 And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?
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12 Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.
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13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;
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14 For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning.
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15 If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.
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16 When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;
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17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.
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18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.
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19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
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20 As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.
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21 For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:
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22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before thee.
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23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.
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24 Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
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25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
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26 My flesh and my heart faileth; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
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27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, [departing] from thee.
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28 But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.