Psalm 73, side by side
Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.
1A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
1Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.
28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
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