73:1  Surely God is good to Israel, `Even' to such as are pure in heart.

73:2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.

73:3  For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

73:4  For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.

73:5  They are not in trouble as `other' men; Neither are they plagued like `other' men.

73:6  Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.

73:7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.

73:8  They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.

73:9  They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.

73:10  Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full `cup' are drained by them.

73:11  And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?

73:12  Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

73:13  Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;

73:14  For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning.

73:15  If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

73:16  When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;

73:17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

73:18  Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

73:19  How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

73:20  As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

73:21  For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:

73:22  So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was `as' a beast before thee.

73:23  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.

73:24  Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

73:25  Whom have I in heaven `but thee'? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

73:26  My flesh and my heart faileth; `But' God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

73:27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, `departing' from thee.

73:28  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. Psalm 74 Maschil of Asaph.