73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
73:2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped I had nearly lost my foothold.
73:3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
73:4 They have no struggles their bodies are healthy and strong. [With a different word division of the Hebrew Masoretic Text struggles at their death their bodies are healthy]
73:5 They are free from the burdens common to man they are not plagued by human ills.
73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace they clothe themselves with violence.
73:7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity [Syriac (see also Septuagint) Hebrew Their eyes bulge with fat] the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
73:8 They scoff, and speak with malice in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
73:9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
73:10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. [The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.]
73:11 They say, How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?
73:12 This is what the wicked are like always carefree, they increase in wealth.
73:13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
73:14 All day long I have been plagued I have been punished every morning.
73:15 If I had said, I will speak thus, I would have betrayed your children.
73:16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
73:17 till I entered the sanctuary of God then I understood their final destiny.
73:18 Surely you place them on slippery ground you cast them down to ruin.
73:19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
73:20 As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
73:21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
73:22 I was senseless and ignorant I was a brute beast before you.
73:23 Yet I am always with you you hold me by my right hand.
73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will take me into glory.
73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
73:27 Those who are far from you will perish you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
73:28 But 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.74 A MASKIL [TITLE: PROBABLY A LITERARY OR MUSICAL TERM] OF ASAPH.