Psalm 73:1-28 GW

[1] God is truly good to Israel, to those whose lives are pure. [2] But my feet had almost stumbled. They had almost slipped [3] because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy. [4] They suffer no pain. Their bodies are healthy. [5] They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. They are not plagued with problems like others. [6] That is why they wear arrogance like a necklace and acts of violence like clothing. [7] Their eyes peer out from their fat faces, and their imaginations run wild. [8] They ridicule. They speak maliciously. They speak arrogantly about oppression. [9] They verbally attack heaven, and they order people around on earth. [10] That is why God's people turn to wickedness and swallow their words. [11] Then wicked people ask, "What does God know?" "Does the Most High know anything?" [12] Look how wicked they are! They never have a worry. They grow more and more wealthy. [13] I've received no reward for keeping my life pure and washing my hands of any blame. [14] I'm plagued with problems all day long, and every morning my punishment begins again. [15] If I had said, "I will continue to talk like that," I would have betrayed God's people. [16] But when I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me. [17] Only when I came into God's holy place did I finally understand what would happen to them. [18] You put them in slippery places and make them fall into ruin. [19] They are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away by terror! [20] As someone gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them when you wake up. [21] When my heart was filled with bitterness and my mind was seized with envy, [22] I was stupid, and I did not understand. I was like a dumb animal in your presence. [23] Yet, I am always with you. You hold on to my right hand. [24] With your advice you guide me, and in the end you will take me to glory. [25] As long as I have you, I don't need anyone else in heaven or on earth. [26] My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever. [27] Without a doubt, those who are far from you will die. You destroy all who are unfaithful to you. [28] Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty LORD my refuge so that I may report everything that he has done.