Old Testament · Poetry and wisdom

Psalms chapter 73

A of . God really is to Israel— to those whose inner life is .But as for me — my . I almost lost my footing completely.Because I was jealous of the when I saw for the .They don’t , even at death — their bodies are healthy and well-fed.They’re untouched by the troubles everyone else faces. They don’t get hit with the same problems as other people.So they wear their , and violence wraps around them like clothing.Their ; the fantasies of their hearts run wild.They mock and speak with cruelty; from their high position, they threaten to .They , and their tongues strut across the earth.So the people turn to them and .And they say, “How would God know? Does the even pay attention?”Look at them — the corrupt! Always , always piling up more wealth.Was it all for nothing that I ? Did I wash my hands in innocence for no reason?Because I’ve been hit with trouble all day long, and every morning brings fresh pain.If I had said these things out loud, I would have betrayed the whole .When I tried to make sense of all this, it was an —until I walked into . Then I understood .You’ve set them on a . You let them fall into ruin.How suddenly they are destroyed — completely !Like a dream when someone wakes — when you rise, , you dismiss them like a .When my and I felt ,I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a in front of you.Yet I am always with you; you .You guide me with your , and afterward, you will take me into .Who else do I have in heaven? And with you, I .My body and my heart may fail, but God is the of my heart and — forever.Look — those who are far from you will perish. You destroy everyone who is .But for me, being is what is good. I have made my , so I can of everything he has done.