Psalm 72

A Psalm of Asaph: a song for the Assyrian.

How good is God to Israel, even to such as are of an upright heart.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped.
Because I was envious at the transgressors, when I saw the peace of sinners.
For they show no refusal in their death, and they are steadfast in their stripes.
They are not in labours as other men, neither shall they be scourged with other men.
Therefore their pride hath held them fast; they have covered themselves with their injustice and ungodliness.

Their injustice shall go forth, as out of fatness; they have come into their heart’s desire.
They have thought and spoken wickedly; they have spoken unrighteousness loftily.
They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Therefore shall my people return hither, and full days shall be found in them.
And they said, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the sinners; they prosper in this age, and have obtained riches.
And I said, Verily I have justified my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
For all the day long have I been as a man scourged, and reproof was mine every morning.
If I said, I will speak thus, behold, I had broken covenant with the generation of Thy children.
And I sought to know this, but it is a labour in my sight.
Until I come into the sanctuary of God, and understand their end.
Verily Thou hast appointed evils for them for their crafty dealings; Thou castedst them down when they were lifted up.
How are they brought to desolation in a moment! They are consumed; they have perished because of their iniquity.
As a dream of one that awaketh, O Lord, so in Thy city shalt Thou despise their image.
For my heart was on fire, and my reins were changed.
And I was brought to nothing, and I knew it not. I became as a beast before Thee, yet I am always with Thee.
Thou hast holden me by my right hand, and hast guided me with Thy counsel, and received me with glory.
For what have I in heaven, and what have I desired upon the earth beside Thee? My heart and my flesh have failed, O Thou God of my heart; but God is my portion for ever.
For lo, they that go afar from Thee shall perish; Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from Thee.
But it is good for me to cleave unto God, to put my hope in the Lord, that I may declare all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Zion.