PART THIRD ³⁴⁴³⁴⁴     According to the Hebrew division, Part 3 extends from Psalm 73 to Psalm 89 inclusive

PSALM 73

A Psalm of Asaph

1 Yet God is good to Israel, To those who are right in heart.

2 As for me, wellnigh slipped had my feet, My steps were almost gone:

3 For I was envious at the foolish, On seeing the prosperity of the ungodly.

4 For there are no bands to their death, And vigorous is their strength.

5 In the [common] trouble of man they are not; And with other men they are not scourged.

6 Therefore encompass them as a chain doth pride; Covered them hath the raiment of violence.

7 Their eye projecteth through fatness; They have passed beyond the thoughts of their heart.

8 They break forth, and talk wickedly of extortion: From on high do they speak.

9 They have set against the heaven their mouth, And their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 On this account his people will return hither, And waters of a full cup will be wrung out to them.

11 And they say, “How doth God know? “ “And is there knowledge in the Most High?“

12 Behold these are the ungodly, and [yet] they are in quiet for ever: They heap up riches.

13 Surely in vain I have purified my heart, And washed every day my hands:

14 And I have been scourged every day, And my chastisement [has been] every morning.

15 If I have said, “I will speak thus,” Behold! the generation of thy children: I have transgressed.

16 And although I applied my mind to know this, A pain fill thing it was in mine eyes,

17 Until I entered into the sanctuaries of God, And understood their end.

18 Surely in slippery places thou hast set them; Thou shalt east them down into destructions.

19 How have they been destroyed as in a moment! They have perished, they have been consumed with terrors.

20 As it were a dream after a man is awakened; O Lord! in awaking, their image thou wilt render contemptible.

21 For in a ferment was my heart, And in my reins I was pierced.

22 And I myself [was] foolish and knew not any thing; As the beasts have I been before thee.

23 Nevertheless I have been continually with thee; Thou hast held my right hand.

24 With thy counsel thou shalt guide me; And at length to glory thou shalt take me.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And another with time I have not desired on the earth.

26 Failed have my flesh and my heart; But the strength of my heart and my portion is God for ever.

27 For lo! those who depart from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed every one who goeth a whoring from thee.

28 As for me, to draw near to God is good for me: I have put in the Lord Jehovah my trust, That I may tell of all thy works.