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Psalms 73 - Good News Bible bible

Psalms 73

¹God is indeed good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.

²But I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone

³because I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.

⁴They do not suffer pain; they are strong and healthy.

⁵They do not suffer as other people do; they do not have the troubles that others have.

⁶And so they wear pride like a necklace and violence like a robe;

⁷their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.

⁸They laugh at other people and speak of evil things; they are proud and make plans to oppress others.

⁹They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,

¹⁰so that even God's people turn to them and eagerly believe whatever they say.

¹¹They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out."

¹²That is what the wicked are like. They have plenty and are always getting more.

¹³Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure and have not committed sin?

¹⁴O God, you have made me suffer all day long; every morning you have punished me.

¹⁵If I had said such things, I would not be acting as one of your people.

¹⁶I tried to think this problem through, but it was too difficult for me

¹⁷until I went into your Temple. Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.

¹⁸You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction!

¹⁹They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.

²⁰They are like a dream that goes away in the morning; when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.

²¹When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt,

²²I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you.

²³Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand.

²⁴You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor.

²⁵What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?

²⁶My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.

²⁷Those who abandon you will certainly perish; you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.

²⁸But as for me, how wonderful to be near God, to find protection with the Sovereign LORD and to proclaim all that he has done!