Week 2 - Friday

Psalm 73.1-12

Truly, God is loving to Israel , • to those who are pure in heart. 

Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone; • my steps had well-nigh slipped. 

For I was envious of the proud; • I saw the wicked in such prosperity; 

For they suffer no pains • and their bodies are sleek and sound; 

They come to no misfortune like other folk; • nor are they plagued as others are; 

Therefore pride is their necklace • and violence wraps them like a cloak. 

Their iniquity comes from within; • the conceits of their hearts overflow. 

They scoff, and speak only of evil; • they talk of oppression from on high. 

They set their mouth against the heavens, • and their tongue ranges round the earth; 

And so the people turn to them • and find in them no fault. 

They say, 'How should God know? • Is there knowledge in the Most High?' 

Behold, these are the wicked; • ever at ease, they increase their wealth.

Psalm 73.13-22

Is it in vain that I cleansed my heart • and washed my hands in innocence? 

All day long have I been stricken • and chastened every morning. 

If I had said, 'I will speak as they do,' • I should have betrayed the generation of your children. 

Then thought I to understand this, • but it was too hard for me,  

Until I entered the sanctuary of God • and understood the end of the wicked: 

How you set them in slippery places; • you cast them down to destruction. 

How suddenly do they come to destruction, • perish and come to a fearful end! 

As with a dream when one awakes, • so, Lord, when you arise you will despise their image. 

When my heart became embittered • and I was pierced to the quick, 

I was but foolish and ignorant; • I was like a brute beast in your presence.

Psalm 73.23-28

Yet I am always with you; • you hold me by my right hand. 

You will guide me with your counsel • and afterwards receive me with glory. 

Whom have I in heaven but you? • And there is nothing upon earth that I desire in comparison with you. 

Though my flesh and my heart fail me, • God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 

Truly, those who forsake you will perish; • you will put to silence the faithless who betray you. 

But it is good for me to draw near to God; • in the Lord God have I made my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

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