1 A psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, to the pure of heart.
2 And as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the arrogant (fools), seeing the peace of wicked (men).
4 For [there are] no pangs in their death, and their strength [is] firm (fat).
5 In the hardships of men they [are] not, and with mankind are not smitten.
6 Therefore hath pride enchained them, a garment of violence covereth them.
7 Their eves stand out with fatness, the imaginations of their heart overflow.
8 They mock and speak wickedly of oppression; from on high they speak.
9 They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh in the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn hither, and waters of fulness are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How should God (El) know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these [are] wicked and prosperous for ever; they increase in substance.
13 Truly (or only) in vain I have cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency;
14 And I was smitten all the day, and my rebuking [is] at the mornings.
15 If I have said, I will declare thus, behold, I have offended the generation of thy sons.
16 When I thought to know this, a hardship it [was] in mine eyes,
17 Until I went into the sanctuaries of God (El): I considered their end.
18 Truly thou settest them in slippery places, thou hast caused them to fall into ruins.
19 How are they a desolation in a moment! They have passed, consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream on awaking, so, O Lord (Adonai), in arising, wilt thou despise their image.
21 For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins;
22 And I [was] brutish and knew nothing: a beast I was with thee.
23 Yet I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand.
24 By thy counsel thou wilt guide me, and after glory wilt receive me.
25 Whom have I in the heavens? and beside thee none I desire upon the earth.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth; rock of my heart and my portion [is] God for ever.
27 For, behold, those far from me shall perish; thou hast destroyed everyone whoring from thee.
28 And as for me [it is] good to draw near to God: I have made Adonai Jehovah my refuge to declare all thy works.
Notes on Psalm 73
The first is “A psalm of Asaph.” The opening utterance as usual gives the key-note. It is God good to “Israel,” but only “to such as are pure in heart” — gracious to His people as a whole, and so known by those that honored Him as a God of judgment. But the trial produced by the prosperity of the wicked, while judgment is not yet executed, is vividly expressed, and the secret only known in His presence which gave the clue and turned all for good. Why the Revised Version repeats the error of the Authorized in verse 24 is hard to understand, if one knew not the force of habit. The mistranslation is probably due to Christian prejudice overriding the correct Israelitish hope. Yet it overthrows our real privilege. For those put to sleep by Jesus will God bring with Him. Hence when Christ, our life, shall be manifested, then shall we also with Him be manifested in glory. Whereas it is after the glory that God will receive Israel. Compare Zechariah 2:8.