11 And they say, "How does God know? and does the Most High have knowledge?"

12 And behold, these wicked ones prosper in this world, multiplying riches.

13 [And I said:] Have I not cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence?

14 And he subjected himself to wounds all day long, and chastisement every morning?

15 But if I were to say, 'I will reason thus,' I should be guilty before the offspring of thy sons.

16 And I thought how to understand these things, but it was difficult in my eyes,

17 until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and understood their end.

E-18 Yes! Thou hast set them on slippery paths, and hast cast them into the abyss.

19 How accidentally they came to ruin, vanished, perished from terrors!

20 As a dream after waking up, so thou, O Lord, when thou awakest them, shalt destroy their dreams.

21 When my heart was boiling, and my inward parts were tormented,

22 then I was ignorant, and did not understand; I was like cattle before you.

23 But I am always with you: you hold me by the right hand;

24 Thou hast guided me by thy counsel, and afterwards thou shalt receive me into glory.

25 Who am I in heaven? and with Thee I desire nothing on earth.

26 My flesh and my heart are faint: God is the stronghold of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 For behold, they that keep themselves away from thee perish; Thou destroyest every one who departs from Thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God! In the Lord God I have placed my trust, to declare all thy works [in the gate of the daughter of Zion].

Psalm 73

The Teaching of Asaph.

1 Wherefore, O God, hath cast us away for ever? Is Thy wrath kindled against the sheep of Thy pasture?