Psalm 73:1-28 TLB

[1] How good God is to Israel-to those whose hearts are pure. [2] But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping and I was almost gone. [3] For I was envious of the prosperity of the proud and wicked. [4] Yes, all through life their road is smooth! They grow sleek and fat. [5] They aren't always in trouble and plagued with problems like everyone else, [6] so their pride sparkles like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty! [7] These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! [8] They scoff at God and threaten his people. How proudly they speak! [9] They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut through the earth. [10] And so God's people are dismayed and confused and drink it all in. [11] "Does God realize what is going on?" they ask. [12] "Look at these men of arrogance; they never have to lift a finger-theirs is a life of ease; and all the time their riches multiply." [13] Have I been wasting my time? Why take the trouble to be pure? [14] All I get out of it is trouble and woe-every day and all day long! [15] If I had really said that, I would have been a traitor to your people. [16] Yet it is so hard to explain it-this prosperity of those who hate the Lord. [17] Then one day I went into God's sanctuary to meditate and thought about the future of these evil men. [18] What a slippery path they are on-suddenly God will send them sliding over the edge of the cliff and down to their destruction: [19] an instant end to all their happiness, an eternity of terror. [20] Their present life is only a dream! They will awaken to the truth as one awakens from a dream of things that never really were! [21] When I saw this, what turmoil filled my heart! [22] I saw myself so stupid and so ignorant; I must seem like an animal to you, O God. [23] But even so, you love me! You are holding my right hand! [24] You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel, and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven! [25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And I desire no one on earth as much as you! [26] My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever! [27] But those refusing to worship God will perish, for he destroys those serving other gods. [28] But as for me, I get as close to him as I can! I have chosen him, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways he rescues me.