The Book of Psalms

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- Kapitel 73 -

God is surely good to Israel

A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those with a pure heart.

But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slipped out from under me,

because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For they have no pain until their death, but they are strong and well fed.

They are free from the burdens of other men; they are not afflicted like other men.

Pride adorns them like a necklace around their neck; violence clothes them like a robe.

Out of such blindness comes sin; evil thoughts pass through their hearts.

They mock and speak wickedly; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongues march through the earth.

Therefore, his people turn to them and abundant waters are drained out.

They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?”

Take notice: These people are wicked; they are always carefree, becoming richer and richer.

Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart and washed my hands in innocence.

For all the day long I have been afflicted and disciplined every morning.

If I had said, “I will say these things,” then I would have betrayed this generation of your children.

Though I tried to understand these things, it was too difficult for me.

Then I went into God’s sanctuary and came to understand their fate.

Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.

How they become a wilderness in a moment! They come to an end and are finished in awful terrors.

They are like a dream after one wakes up; Lord, when you arise, you will think nothing of those dreams.

For my heart was grieved, and I was deeply wounded.

I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was like a senseless animal before you.

Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.

You will guide me with your advice and afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? There is no one on earth that I desire but you.

My flesh and my heart grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart forever.

Those who are far from you will perish; you will destroy all those who are unfaithful to you.

But as for me, all I need to do is to approach God. I have made Lord Yahweh my refuge. I will declare all your deeds.

God is surely good to Israel

Surely God(a) is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.

They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.

Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.

Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.

They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.

Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.

They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,

For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—

until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.

Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.

How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.

As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord,(b) when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.

I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.

You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord the LORD

(c)

my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Fußnoten

(a)73:1 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

(b)73:20 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”