My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.
This has always been one of my favorite Psalms. I have printed it out and made posters of it and laminated some and used them for bookmarks. And most asuredly included it in my Scripture Snacks. Because of the way I liked yesterday's scripture, I decided to look it up in the Message as well. Here is The Message version and the Amplified version after it.
Psalm 73-The Message (MSG)
No doubt about it! GOD is good—good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, missed seeing His goodness. I was looking the other way, looking up to the people at the top, envying the wicked who have it made, who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness. They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
What's going on here? Is GOD out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store.The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that's what—a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed Your dear children.Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . . Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture: the slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions. In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare! We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in Your very presence. I'm still in Your presence, but You've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, GOD is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again. But I'm in the very presence of GOD—oh, how refreshing it is! I've made LORD GOD my home. GOD, I'm telling the world what You do!
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
No doubt about it! GOD is good—good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, missed seeing His goodness. I was looking the other way, looking up to the people at the top, envying the wicked who have it made, who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness. They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
What's going on here? Is GOD out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store.The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that's what—a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed Your dear children.Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . . Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture: the slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions. In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare! We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in Your very presence. I'm still in Your presence, but You've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, GOD is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again. But I'm in the very presence of GOD—oh, how refreshing it is! I've made LORD GOD my home. GOD, I'm telling the world what You do!
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Psalm 73 (AMP)
1) Truly GOD is [only] good to Israel, even to those who are upright and pure in heart.
2) But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped.
3) For I was envious of the foolish and arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4) For they suffer no violent pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.
5) They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they smitten and plagued like other men.
6) Therefore pride is about their necks like a chain; violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe].
7) Their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish; and the imaginations of their minds overflow [with follies].
8) They scoff, and wickedly utter oppression; they speak loftily [from on high, maliciously and blasphemously].
9) They set their mouths against and speak down from heaven, and their tongues swagger through the earth [invading even heaven with blasphemy and smearing earth with slanders].
10) Therefore His people return here, and waters of a full cup [offered by the wicked] are [blindly] drained by them.
11) And they say, How does GOD know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?
12) Behold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are at ease in the world; they increase in riches.
13) Surely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency.
14) For all the day long have I been smitten and plagued, and chastened every morning.
15) Had I spoken thus [and given expression to my feelings], I would have been untrue and have dealt treacherously against the generation of Your children.
16) But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful.
17) Until I went into the sanctuary of GOD; then I understood [for I considered] their end.
18) [After all] You do set the [wicked] in slippery places; You cast them down to ruin and destruction.
19) How they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors!
20) As a dream [which seems real] until one awakens, so, O LORD, when You arouse Yourself [to take note of the wicked], You will despise their outward show.
21) For my heart was grieved, embittered, and in a state of ferment, and I was pricked in my heart [as with the sharp fang of an adder].
22) So foolish, stupid, and brutish was I, and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23) Nevertheless I am continually with You; You do hold my right hand.
24) You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory.
25) Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.
26) My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.
27) For behold, those who are far from You shall perish; You will destroy all who are false to You and like [spiritual] harlots depart from You.
28) But it is good for me to draw near to GOD; I have put my trust in the LORD GOD and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
1) Truly GOD is [only] good to Israel, even to those who are upright and pure in heart.
2) But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped.
3) For I was envious of the foolish and arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4) For they suffer no violent pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.
5) They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they smitten and plagued like other men.
6) Therefore pride is about their necks like a chain; violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe].
7) Their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish; and the imaginations of their minds overflow [with follies].
8) They scoff, and wickedly utter oppression; they speak loftily [from on high, maliciously and blasphemously].
9) They set their mouths against and speak down from heaven, and their tongues swagger through the earth [invading even heaven with blasphemy and smearing earth with slanders].
10) Therefore His people return here, and waters of a full cup [offered by the wicked] are [blindly] drained by them.
11) And they say, How does GOD know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?
12) Behold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are at ease in the world; they increase in riches.
13) Surely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency.
14) For all the day long have I been smitten and plagued, and chastened every morning.
15) Had I spoken thus [and given expression to my feelings], I would have been untrue and have dealt treacherously against the generation of Your children.
16) But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful.
17) Until I went into the sanctuary of GOD; then I understood [for I considered] their end.
18) [After all] You do set the [wicked] in slippery places; You cast them down to ruin and destruction.
19) How they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors!
20) As a dream [which seems real] until one awakens, so, O LORD, when You arouse Yourself [to take note of the wicked], You will despise their outward show.
21) For my heart was grieved, embittered, and in a state of ferment, and I was pricked in my heart [as with the sharp fang of an adder].
22) So foolish, stupid, and brutish was I, and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23) Nevertheless I am continually with You; You do hold my right hand.
24) You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory.
25) Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.
26) My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.
27) For behold, those who are far from You shall perish; You will destroy all who are false to You and like [spiritual] harlots depart from You.
28) But it is good for me to draw near to GOD; I have put my trust in the LORD GOD and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
posted by Linda R. | 4:05 PM
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