BOOK 3
(Psalms 73-89)
Asaph's song of praise.
<1> God is so good to Israel,[405]
to those whose hearts are pure.
<2> But I almost slipped and lost my balance.
I almost fell into sin.
<3> I saw that wicked people were successful,
and I became jealous of those proud people.
<4> They are healthy.
They don't have to struggle to survive.[406]
<5> They don't suffer like the rest of us.
They don't have troubles like other people.
<6> So they are proud and hateful.
This is as easy to see as the jewels and fancy clothes they wear.
<7> If they see something they like, they go and take it.
They do whatever they want.
<8> They say cruel, evil things about other people.
They are proud and stubborn,
and they are always planning ways to take advantage of others.
<9> They think they are gods!
They think they are the rulers of earth.
<10>[407] Even God's people turn to them
and do what they say.
<11> Those evil people say,
"God does not know what we are doing!
God Most High does not know!"
<12> Those proud people are wicked,
but they are rich and getting richer.
<13> So why should I make my heart pure?
Why should I make my hands clean?
<14> God, I suffer all day long,
and you punish me every morning.
<15> God, I wanted to talk to others about these things.
But I knew I would be betraying your people.
<16> I tried hard to understand these things,
but it was all too hard for me,
<17> until I went to your Temple.[408]
I went to God's Temple,
and then I understood.
<18> God, you really have put those people
in a dangerous situation.
It is so easy for them to fall and be destroyed.
<19> Trouble can come suddenly,
and then they will be ruined.
Terrible things can happen to them,
and then they will be finished.
<20> Then they will be like a dream
that we forget when we wake up.
You will make them disappear
like the monsters in our dreams.
<21-22> I was very stupid.
I thought about such people, and I became upset.
God, I was upset and angry with you!
I acted like a stupid, ignorant animal.
<23> But look at what I have!
I am always with you.
You hold my hand.
<24> You lead me and give me good advice,
and later you will lead me to glory.[409]
<25> God, I have you in heaven.
And if I am with you, what on earth can I want?
<26> Maybe my mind[410] and body will be destroyed,
but I have the Rock[411] I love.
I have God forever!
<27> God, people who leave you will be lost.
You will destroy those who are not faithful to you.
<28> As for me, I have come to God,
and that is good.
I have made the Lord my Master, my place of safety.
God, I have come to tell about what you have done.
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.