Psalm 73

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5
They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
6
Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7
From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
8
They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9
Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10
Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
11
They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
12
This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth.
13
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14
All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
15
If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children.
16
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
17
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18
Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19
How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
20
As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27
Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Seeking Closure!

Last week I was able to get away from the land of exile in order to visit and spend time with family.  Even though part of our plans for a trip to East Texas fell apart, I very much enjoyed spending three wonderful days with my mother in Yoakum.  During this time, as she still had to work her shifts at the church, I was able to scratch off quite a few items from the bucket list.  Many of these items have been on there for several years awaiting much-needed closure.  On top of the list, but really in no particular order, was to visit the Alchoholics Anonymous group in Victoria where I tried to get sober in 2004.  Even though I didn't recognize anyone in attendance, I did enjoy the time spent in fellowship.  Then a visit was made to Memory Gardens Cemetery where three acquaintances are interred.  One in particular, my friend Amy, was buried there in 2021.  Regretting not being able to attend her funeral services, I made every effort to locate her grave, along with the graves of her m
Read more

The Nightmare is Over

A little over a week ago, I finished working at Ole Grapevine Cigar & Tobacco Shop for a second tour of duty.  Once again, I found this particular place of employment extremely toxic and dysfunctional.  With the exception of one other staff member, the crew at the shop were too chummy with one another in very unhealthy ways.  Similar to the first experience, I was micro-managed and isolated from feeling a part of the "family", as the manager liked to call the company.  I never felt included...only taken advantage of and then made to feel inferior and worthless.  The customer base wasn't too much better than the work environment.  In some ways, the customers were worse...a bunch of entitled, rich people who wanted their way while everyone else be damned.  Spoiled-rotten brats!  The manager summarily decided, without even consulting me, that I would be moved to an "on call" position.  Since I'm not naive, I realize this means I'll never work there agai
Read more

Reprieve from the War Front

** This is another letter from my father in Korea during the war of 1950-1953.  My intention in posting these letters is to capture the very personal side of war.  The letter is typed as written.  Any mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and etc. are intentional. 17-Oct-53 Dear Mom & Dad           I have just returned from a splendid seven days leave in Japan.  My seven days were filled with just about everything a person could want in a leave.  Steak, lobster, french fried potatoes, and onions, and many other fried foods.  The special service hotel at which I stayed is the most beautiful in Tokyo, Ga-Jo-En KANKO Hotel.  It is composed of three buildings connected by hallways, five stories high.  It has many facilities such as Grill, Bar, Cocktail Lounge, PX, Game Room, Barber Shop, Dining Room, Wrapping Service, and Dining Room, where meals are very cheap: 15 cent breakfast, 25 cent lunch, 45 cent supper.  The elevators of the Hotel are lined with mother-of-pearl formed into wa
Read more