Psalm 73

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes:

(vv.1-22) 127 St Thomas, 79 Kilmarnock

(vv.23-28) 145 Wetherby, 147 Wiltshire, 139 Tiverton

1    Yet God is good to Israel,

            to each pure-hearted one.

2    But as for me, my steps near slipp’d,

            my feet were almost gone.

3    For I envious was, and grudg’d

            the foolish folk to see,

      When I perceiv’d the wicked sort

            enjoy prosperity.

4    For still their strength continueth firm;

            their death of bands is free.

5    They are not toil’d like other men,

            nor plagu’d, as others be.

6    Therefore their pride, like to a chain,

            them compasseth about;

      And, as a garment, violence

            doth cover them throughout.

7    Their eyes stand out with fat; they have

            more than their hearts could wish.

8    They are corrupt; their talk of wrong

            both lewd and lofty is.

9    They set their mouth against the heav’ns

            in their blasphemous talk;

      And their reproaching tongue throughout

            the earth at large doth walk.

10  His people oftentimes for this

            look back, and turn about;

      Sith waters of so full a cup

            to these are poured out.

11  And thus they say, How can it be

            that God these things doth know?

      Or, Can there in the Highest be

            knowledge of things below?

12  Behold, these are the wicked ones,

            yet prosper at their will

      In worldly things; they do increase

            in wealth and riches still.

13  I verily have done in vain

            my heart to purify;

      To no effect in innocence

            washed my hands have I.

14  For daily, and all day throughout,

            great plagues I suffer’d have;

      Yea, ev’ry morning I of new

            did chastisement receive.

15  If in this manner foolishly

            to speak I would intend,

      Thy children’s generation,

            behold, I should offend.

16  When I this thought to know, it was

            too hard a thing for me;

17  Till to God’s sanctuary I went,

            then I their end did see.

18  Assuredly thou didst them set

            a slipp’ry place upon;

      Them suddenly thou castedst down

            into destruction.

19  How in a moment suddenly

            to ruin brought are they!

      With fearful terrors utterly

            they are consum’d away.

20  Ev’n like unto a dream, when one

            from sleeping doth arise;

      So thou, O Lord, when thou awak’st,

            their image shalt despise.

21  Thus grieved was my heart in me,

            and me my reins opprest:

22  So rude was I, and ignorant,

            and in thy sight a beast.

23  Nevertheless continually,

            O Lord, I am with thee:

      Thou dost me hold by my right hand,

            and still upholdest me.

24  Thou, with thy counsel, while I live,

            wilt me conduct and guide;

      And to thy glory afterward

            receive me to abide.

25  Whom have I in the heavens high

            but thee, O Lord, alone?

      And in the earth whom I desire

            besides thee there is none.

26  My flesh and heart doth faint and fail,

            but God doth fail me never:

      For of my heart God is the strength

            and portion for ever.

27  For, lo, they that are far from thee

            for ever perish shall;

      Them that a whoring from thee go

            thou hast destroyed all.

28  But surely it is good for me

            that I draw near to God:

      In God I trust, that all thy works

            I may declare abroad.