| 1 | Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. |
| 2 | But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. |
| 3 | For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. |
| 4 | For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. |
| 5 | They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men. |
| 6 | Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. |
| 7 | Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit. |
| 8 | They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression. |
| 9 | They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth. |
| 10 | Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance. |
| 11 | They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" |
| 12 | Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. |
| 13 | Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence, |
| 14 | For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning. |
| 15 | If I had said, "I will speak thus;" behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. |
| 16 | When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me; |
| 17 | Until I entered God's sanctuary, and considered their latter end. |
| 18 | Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction. |
| 19 | How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors. |
| 20 | As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies. |
| 21 | For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart. |
| 22 | I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you. |
| 23 | Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. |
| 24 | You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. |
| 25 | Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. |
| 26 | My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. |
| 27 | For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. |
| 28 | But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 74 A contemplation by Asaph. |
