Psalm 73:1-22 - Heartlight

¹Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

²But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

my steps had nearly slipped.

³For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴They have no struggle in their death;

their bodies are well-fed.

⁵They are free of the burdens others carry;

they are not afflicted like other men.

⁶Therefore pride is their necklace;

a garment of violence covers them.

⁷From their prosperity proceeds iniquity;

the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

⁸They mock and speak with malice;

with arrogance they threaten oppression.

⁹They set their mouths against the heavens,

and their tongues strut across the earth.

¹⁰So their people return to this place

and drink up waters in abundance.

¹¹The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High have knowledge?”

¹²Behold, these are the wicked —

always carefree as they increase their wealth.

¹³Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure;

in innocence I have washed my hands.

¹⁴For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning.

¹⁵If I had said, “I will speak this way,”

then I would have betrayed Your children.

¹⁶When I tried to understand all this,

it was troublesome in my sight

¹⁷until I entered God’s sanctuary;

then I discerned their end.

¹⁸Surely You set them on slick ground;

You cast them down into ruin.

¹⁹How suddenly they are laid waste,

completely swept away by terrors!

²⁰Like one waking from a dream,

so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

²¹When my heart was grieved

and I was pierced within,

²²I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before You.

— Psalm 73:1-22

(BSB)

Related Resources from Heartlight

There are 2 resources related to this passage:

Losing Your Footing?

Article by Rubel Shelly

What do you do when you lose your grip? Rubel Shelly reminds of where to go in our troubling times.

Life Happens!

Article by Brian McCutchen

No one is exempt from life’s challenges. Brian McCutchen uses the journey of Asaph in Psalm 73 to remind us that life happens to everyone, but God is with those who love him.

Cross References for Psalm 73:1-22

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.