1 Yes, God is good to Israel,
to ev’ryone whose heart is pure.
2 But as for me, I nearly fell;
my footsteps were no longer sure.
3 For I was envious of the proud
and wicked ones with wealth endowed.
4 Until their death no pains they know;
their strength is firm from day to day.
5 They share no part in others’ woe,
nor plagued as other men are they.
6 They make their necklace arrogance,
and clothe themselves with violence.
7 Their eyes are bulging with excess;
their hearts are full of things they seek.
8 With threats and malice they oppress.
Disdainful words they proudly speak.
9 Their mouths against the heavens rage;
their tongue throughout the earth parades.
10 Their people therefore with them turn
to drink from streams that overflow.
11 “For how,” they say, “can God discern?”
and, “Does the Most High really know?”
12 The wicked’s ways are such as these;
they gain in wealth and lie at ease.
13 Then surely I have toiled in vain
to cleanse my heart from all offense,
and vainly from each guilty stain
have washed my hands in innocence.
14 Still grievous plagues all day I’ve borne,
and I was chastened ev’ry morn.
The psalm continues at Psalm 73B.
– Book of Psalms for Worship, alt.
Oremus 