73
1 (Mizmor of Asaph)
Truly Elohim is tov to Yisroel,
even to the barei levav (pure of heart).
2 But as for me, my raglayim had almost stumbled;
my steps had well near slipped.
3 For I had kina (envy) of the holelim (arrogant ones),
when I saw the shalom of the resha'im.
4 For there are no chartzubot (fetters, bonds, pains) in their mot;
healthy is their belly.
5 They are not in amal (trouble) as enosh;
neither are they plagued like adam.
6 Therefore ga'avah encircleth them like a chain necklace;
chamas enwraps them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with chelev;
they have more than levav could imagine.
8 They mock, and speak wickedly concerning oshek (oppression);
they speak from marom (on high).
9 They set their mouth against Shomayim,
and their leshon stalketh in ha'aretz.
10 Therefore their people return here;
and mayim to the full are swallowed down by them.
11 And they say, How doth El (G-d) know?
And is there knowledge in Elyon?
12 Hinei, these are the resha'im;
at ease olam, they increase in riches.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my lev,
and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For kol hayom have I been plagued,
and chastened in the bekarim (mornings).
15 If I say, I will speak thus;
hinei, I would have dealt faithlessly with the dor banecha (the generation of Thy children).
16 When I thought to comprehend this,
it was amal (difficulty) in my eyes;
17 Until I went into the Mikdeshei El;
then I had binah (understanding) of their (the wickedʼs) destiny.
18 Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places;
Thou castedst them down into mashu'ot (ruins, destruction).
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a rega (moment)!
They are utterly consumed with balahot (terrors).
20 As a chalom when one awaketh;
so, Adonoi, when Thou art aroused,* Thou shalt despise their tzelem (shadowy form).
21 Thus my levav was grieved,
and I was pricked in my mind.
22 So senseless was I, and ignorant;
I was like behemot before Thee.
23 Nevertheless I am with Thee tamid (always);
Thou hast taken hold of me by my yamin.
24 Thou shalt guide me with Thy etzah (counsel),
and afterward take me to kavod (glory).
25 Whom have I in Shomayim but Thee?
And there is none upon HaAretz that I desire beside Thee.
26 My flesh and my levav may fail;
but Elohim is the Tzur of my levav, and my chelek l'olam.
27 For, hinei, they that are far from Thee shall perish;
Thou hast destroyed all them that go zoneh (a-whoring) from Thee.
28 But kiravat Elohim (drawing near to Elohim) is tov for me;
I make in Adonoi Hashem my refuge,
that I may declare all Thy deeds.
* 73:20 in judgment