Psalms 73

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

1God really is good to Israel. He is good to people whose hearts are clean.

2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

2But I almost tripped. My feet nearly slipped out from under me.

3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

3I was jealous of proud people. I saw bad people doing very well.

4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

4They do not seem to struggle. Their bodies look strong and well fed.

5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

5They do not carry the loads other people carry. They do not suffer like other people do.

6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

6Pride sits around their necks like a necklace. They wear meanness like a coat.

7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

7They have so much that wrong things pour out of them. Their hearts want more and more.

NoteThe old wording says "their eyes stand out with fatness." That was an old way of saying they were rich and well fed.

8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

8They make fun of others and speak cruel words. They proudly threaten to push people around.

9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

9They speak against the heavens. Their words strut all over the earth.

10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

10So people turn to them and listen. They drink in what these proud people say.

11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

11Those bad people ask, "How could God know? Does God Most High really see?"

12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

12Look at them. These are the bad people. They never worry, and they keep getting richer.

13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

13So I thought I kept my heart clean for nothing. I stayed honest for nothing.

14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

14Every day I have hurt. Every morning brings me more pain.

15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

15But if I said those things out loud, I would have let down your children.

16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

16I tried hard to understand it all. It only made me feel worse.

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

17Then I went into God's holy house. There I saw how their story ends.

18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

18You place them on slippery ground. You let them fall into ruin.

19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

19They are wiped out in a moment. Terrible things sweep them away.

20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

20It is like waking up from a dream. Lord, when you rise, they vanish.

21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

21My heart was sad. I ached deep inside.

NoteThe old wording says "pricked in my reins." "Reins" was an old word for the insides of the body, where people felt strong feelings.

22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

22I did not understand anything. I was like a dumb animal in front of you.

23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

23Even so, I am always with you. You hold my right hand.

24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

24You guide me and tell me what is wise. Later you will welcome me into glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

25Who do I have in heaven but you? On earth I want no one else.

26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

26My body and my heart may give out. But God keeps my heart strong. He is mine forever.

27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

27People who stay far from you will be lost. You end those who turn away from you.

NoteThe old wording uses a picture of being unfaithful in marriage. It means turning away from God.

28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

28But for me, being close to God is good. I trust the Lord GOD to keep me safe. I will tell everyone what you have done.