Psalms 73

1 Surely [certainly, without a doubt] God [Elohim, the one supreme God] is good [pleasant, beneficial] to Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people], to those who are [truly, sincerely] pure [clean, sincere] in heart [the innermost part of a person, including mind, will, and emotions]. word study 2 But as for me [I, the psalmist], my feet [steps, the path I walk] had almost stumbled [slipped, lost balance]; my steps [the way I go, my journey] had nearly slipped [gone astray, fallen]. word study 3 For [because of this reason] I envied [was jealous of, felt resentful towards] the arrogant [proud, self-important] when I saw [perceived, looked upon] the prosperity [success, well-being] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin]. word study 4 They have no struggle [pangs, bands, or pain] in their death [the end of life, mortal demise]; their bodies [physical forms, flesh] are well-fed [fat, strong, and healthy, plump]. word study 5 They are free [not troubled, unafflicted] of the burdens [troubles, hardships] others carry; they are not [never, in no way] afflicted [plagued, struck] like [in the same way as] other men [humanity, mankind]. word study 6 Therefore [thus, in this manner] pride [arrogance, self-importance] is their necklace [a chain, an ornament]; a garment [a robe, a covering] of violence [cruelty, injustice] covers them [encompasses, surrounds]. word study 7 From their [abundant, overflowing] prosperity [wealth, riches] proceeds [comes forth, arises] iniquity [wickedness, evil deeds]; the [deepest, innermost] imaginations [thoughts, figments] of their [inner, spiritual] hearts [minds, wills] run [pass, transcend] wild [beyond limits, unrestrained]. word study 8 They mock [scoff, make fun of] and speak [communicate, utter] with malice [wickedness, evil intent]; with arrogance [loftiness, pride] they threaten [plan, speak of] oppression [injustice, cruel acts, fraud]. word study 9 They set [appoint, establish] their mouths [lips, edge of speech] against [in opposition to] the heavens [the visible universe, God’s abode], and their tongues [language, speech] strut [walk proudly, go] across [through, throughout] the earth [land, ground, territory]. word study 10 So [thus, in this manner] their people [nation, community] return [to turn back, come again] to this place [here, hither] and drink up [drain, suck out] waters [liquid refreshment, spiritual nourishment] in abundance [fullness, a large amount]. word study 11 The wicked [those who oppose God] say, “How [in what way] can God [the Most High, El] know [have knowledge of, be aware of]? Does the Most High [the Supreme One, having all power] have [possess, contain] knowledge [deep understanding, discernment]?” word study 12 Behold [look, see], these [specific, particular ones] are the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin]— always [forever, continually] carefree [at ease, prosperous] as they increase [grow, become more powerful] their wealth [riches, material possessions]. word study 13 Surely [certainly, without a doubt] in vain [to no purpose, emptily] I have kept [preserved, protected] my heart [innermost being, mind and emotions] pure [clean, undefiled]; in innocence [moral purity, righteousness] I have washed [cleaned, purified] my hands [palms]. word study 14 For I am afflicted [troubled, plagued] all day long [every morning, daily] and punished [chastened, rebuked] every morning [at the break of day, in the morning hours]. word study 15 If [under these circumstances, in this case] I had said [spoken, declared], “I will speak [recount, utter] this way [like this, thus],” then I would have [certainly, assuredly] betrayed [acted treacherously, dealt falsely with] Your children [sons, descendants, the generation of Your people]. word study 16 When I tried [thought, pondered, attempted to understand] to understand [to know, comprehend, grasp] all this [these things, this situation], it was [seemed, appeared, became] troublesome [too painful, wearisome, a burden] in my sight [before my eyes, in my view, to me] word study 17 until I entered [went into, came to] God’s [Elohim, the supreme deity] sanctuary [holy place, temple]; then I discerned [understood, gained insight into] their end [latter part, final outcome, what comes after]. word study 18 Surely [certainly, without a doubt] You set them on [in] slick [slippery, smooth] ground [places]; You cast them down [throw them, cause them to fall] into ruin [destruction, desolation]. word study 19 How [in what manner] suddenly they are laid waste [become a desolation, destroyed], completely [utterly, as in a moment] swept away [consumed, ended] by [from, out of] terrors [horror, dreadful events]! word study 20 Like one waking [as from a prophetic vision] from a dream [a fleeting illusion], so You, O Lord [Adonay, the revered Master], awaken [to rouse, to stir into action] and despise [to hold in contempt, to scorn] their form [image, likeness, or idol]. word study 21 When my [soul, inner being] heart [mind, will, and emotions] was grieved [made bitter, pained by the bite of grief] and I was pierced [pricked, stabbed] within [in my reins, kidneys, the seat of emotions], word study 22 I [the emphatic I] was senseless [stupid, brutish] and ignorant [lacking knowledge, unaware]; I was a brute beast [like an animal, without understanding] before You [in Your presence, with You]. word study 23 Yet I [continually, always] am always with [together, in close relationship] You; You hold [grasp, take hold of] my right [strongest, most capable] hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share]. word study 24 You guide [lead, direct] me with Your counsel [advice, plan], and later [afterward, in the future] receive [take, welcome] me in glory [great honor, splendor]. word study 25 Whom [who is there for me] have I in heaven [the abode of God, the spiritual realm] but You [my Lord, my Savior]? And on earth [the land, the material world] I desire [to delight in, to take pleasure in] no one [no other person or thing] besides [in addition to, apart from] You [my sole satisfaction]. word study 26 My [body, physical being] flesh and my [innermost being, mind and emotions] heart may fail, but God [the Rock, eternal Refuge] is the strength [foundation, enabling power] of my heart and my [eternal inheritance, allotted portion] portion forever [through all eternity, always]. word study 27 Those [who are distant, removed] far from You [the Lord, your God] will surely [be destroyed, come to an end] perish; You [completely, utterly] destroy [cut off, eliminate] all [every single one, everything] who are [faithless, going astray] unfaithful to You [abandoning, turning away from]. word study 28 But as for me, it is [pleasant, beneficial] good to draw near [to approach, come close] to God [Elohim, the one supreme God]. I have made the Lord [Adonay, a title of reverence] GOD [Yehovah] my refuge [a safe place, shelter], that I may proclaim [declare, tell of] all [everything, every work] Your works [accomplishments, deeds]. word study