Psalms 71-75

Chapter 73

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well almost slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the Heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11 And they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of Thy children. 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18 Surely Thou did set them in slippery places: Thou casted them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awakes; so, O Lord, when Thou awake, Thou shall despise their image.

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou has held me by my right hand. 24 Thou shall guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. 26 My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from Thee shall perish: Thou have destroyed all them that go a whoring from Thee. 28 But 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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​Chapter 74

O God, why have Thou cast us off forever? why does Thine anger smoke against the sheep of Thy pasture? 2 Remember Thy congregation, which Thou have purchased of old; the rod of Thine inheritance, which Thou have redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein Thou have dwelt. 3 Lift up Thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy has done wickedly in the sanctuary.

4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs. 5 A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. 6 But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. 7 They have cast fire into Thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of Thy name to the ground. 8 They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.

9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knows how long. 10 O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme Thy name forever? 11 Why withdraw Thou Thy hand, even Thy right hand? pluck it out of Thy bosom.

12 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. 13 Thou did divide the sea by Thy strength: Thou brake the heads of the dragons in the waters. 14 Thou brake the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gave him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. 15 Thou did cleave the fountain and the flood: Thou dried up mighty rivers. 16 The day is Thine, the night also is Thine: Thou have prepared the light and the sun. 17 Thou have set all the borders of the earth: Thou have made summer and winter.

18 Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed Thy name. 19 O deliver not the soul of Thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of Thy poor forever. 20 Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. 21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise Thy name.

22 Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproaches Thee daily. 23 Forget not the voice of Thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against Thee increases continually.

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​Chapter 75

Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous works declare. 2 When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. 3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.

4 I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: 5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. 6 For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: He puts down one, and sets up another. 8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He pours out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

9 But I will declare forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.