Psalm 73

1. How truly God his goodness shows,
   bestowing favour on all those
   who are in Israel pure-hearted
   and have not from his ways departed.
   But as for me, I slipped almost,
   for when the arrogant would boast
   of earthly wealth and luxury
   I envied their prosperity.
   
   
2. No suff’ring lies in store for them;
   they all are sleek and sound of limb.
   They do not share our pain and anguish;
   no troubles ever make them languish.
   Pride is their necklace, and they dare
   make violence the robe they wear.
   Their hearts with follies overflow,
   and in their minds illusions grow.
   
   
3. They speak with scorn and haughtiness;
   they scoff, and threaten to oppress.
   Their mouth lays claim to heaven’s regions;
   their tongue demands the earth’s allegiance.
   So people turn to praise these men,
   and they can find no fault with them.
   “God does not see it,” they declare.
   “The Most High does not know or care.”
   
   
4. Such are the wicked – they’re secure;
   their wealth increases evermore.
   Surely in vain I’ve been pure-hearted
   and have not from God’s laws departed,
   and I in vain have washed my hands
   in purity and innocence.
   For all day long I suffer here,
   and with new grief each dawn draws near.
   
   
5. If I had spoken this way too,
   I surely would have been untrue
   to all the present generation,
   the children of your holy nation.
   I tried to probe the mystery
   but found it was too much for me
   till, entering God’s holy place,
   I saw the destiny they face.
   
   
6. O LORD, you surely set them all
   on slipp’ry ground to make them fall.
   You cause the arrogant to stumble;
   they headlong to their ruin tumble.
   How suddenly destroyed are they,
   by terrors wholly swept away!
   As one who wakes from dreams, you rise
   and them as fantasies despise.
   
   
7. When envy caused me great distress
   and filled my heart with bitterness,
   I in my folly would ignore you;
   I was a brutish beast before you.
   Yet you will hold me by my hand
   and keep me with you to the end.
   Your counsel guides me in my ways,
   and you will me to glory raise.
   
   
8. Whom do I have in heav’n but you?
   You, God of grace, my faith renew:
   I seek no earthly wealth or splendour;
   to envy I will not surrender.
   Although my flesh and heart may fail,
   God is my strength: I shall prevail,
   for he whose steadfast love is sure
   will be my portion evermore.
   
   
9. Those who from you have gone astray
   shall perish in their evil way.
   You will destroy all who, false-hearted,
   from your commandments have departed.
   But as for me, in God I trust,
   for with his presence I am blest.
   My refuge is the LORD alone;
   I will proclaim all he has done.