Qua bonus Deus. Ps.73.T.S.

David teacheth that neither the prosperity of the ungodly, nor the affliction of the good ought to discourage God’s children, but rather move them to consider God’s providence, and to reverence his judgments, for that the wicked vanisheth away like smoke, and the godly enter into life everlasting, in hope whereof he resigneth himself to God’s hands.

Sing this as the 44 Psalm.
The first part (Psalm 73) The second part (Psalm 73) The third part (Psalm 73)
However it be, yet God is good,
and kind to Israel:
And to all such as safely keep
their conscience pure and well.
 
2 Yet like a fool I almost slipped,
my feet began to slide.
And ere I wist even at a pinch,
my steps away ‘gan glide.
 
3 For when I saw such foolish men,
I grudged and did disdain:
That wicked men all things should have,
without turmoil or pain.
 
4 They never suffer pangs nor grief,
as if death should them smite:
Their bodies are both stout and strong,
and ever in good plight.
 
5 And free from all adversity,
when other men be shent:
And with the rest they take no part
of plague or punishment.
 
6 Therefore presumption doth embrace
their necks as doth a chain:
And are even wrapped as in a robe,
with rapine and disdain.
 
7 They are so fed that even for fat,
their eyes oft times out start:
And as for worldly goods they have,
more than can wish their heart,
 
8 Their life is most licentious,
boasting much of the wrong
Which they have done to simple men,
and ever pride among.
 
9 The heavens and the living Lord,
they spare not to blaspheme:
And prate they do of worldly things,
no wight they do esteem.
 
10 The people of God oft times turn back,
to see their prosperous state,
And almost drink the selfsame cup,
and follow the same rate.
11How can it be that God say they
should know or understand
These worldly things, since wicked men,
be Lords of Sea and land?
 
12 For we may see how wicked men,
in riches still increase:
Rewarded well with worldly goods,
and live in rest and peace.
 
13 Then why do I from wickedness,
my fantasy refrain?
And wash my hands with innocents,
and cleanse my heart in vain?
 
14 And suffer scourges every day,
as subject to all blame:
And every morning from my youth,
sustain rebuke and shame?
 
15 And I had almost said as they,
misliking mine estate:
But that I should thy children judge,
as folk unfortunate.
 
16 Then I bethought me how I might,
this matter understand:
But yet the labor was too great
for me to take in hand.
 
17 Until the time I went unto
thy holy place, and then,
I understood right perfectly,
the end of all these men.
 
18 And namely, how thou settest them,
upon a slippery place:
And at thy pleasure and thy will,
Thou dost them all deface.
 
19 Then shall men muse at that strange sight,
to see how suddenly,
They are destroyed, dispatched, consumed,
and dead so horribly.
 
20 Much like a dream when one awakes,
so shall their wealth decay:
Their famous names in all men’s sight,
shall ebb and pass away.
21Yet thus my heart was grieved then,
my mind was much oppressed:
22 So fond was I and ignorant,
and in this point a beast.
 
23 Yet nevertheless by thy right hand,
thou hold’st me ever fast:
24 And with thy counsel dost me guide
to glory at the last.
 
25 What thing is there that I can wish,
but thee in heaven above?
And in the earth there is no thing
like thee that I can love.
 
26 My flesh and eke my heart doth fail,
but God doth fail me never:
For of my heart God is my strength,
my portion eke for ever.
 
27 And lo all such as thee forsake,
thou shalt destroy each one:
And those that trust in any thing,
saving in thee alone.
 
28 Therefore will I draw near to God,
and ever with him dwell:
In God alone I put my trust,
his wonders I will tell.
and all thy foes deface:
Which now at pleasure rob and waste
within thy holy place.

THE BOOK OF PSALMS

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