Psalm 72-73

Holman Christian Standard Bible

⁵ May he continue^[b] while the sun endures
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.^(F)
6 May he be like rain that falls on the cut grass,
like spring showers that water the earth.^(G)
7 May the righteous^[c] flourish in his days
and prosperity^[d] abound
until the moon is no more.^(H)

⁸ May he rule from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates
to the ends of the earth.^(I)
9 May desert tribes kneel before him
and his enemies lick the dust.^(J)
10 May the kings of Tarshish
and the coasts and islands bring tribute,
the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.^(K)
11 Let all kings bow down to him,
all nations serve him.^(L)

¹² For he will rescue the poor who cry out
and the afflicted who have no helper.^(M)
13 He will have pity on the poor and helpless
and save the lives of the poor.^(N)
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
for their lives are^[e] precious^[f] in his sight.^(O)

¹⁵ May he live long!
May gold from Sheba be given to him.
May prayer be offered for him continually,
and may he be blessed all day long.^(P)
16 May there be plenty of grain in the land;
may it wave on the tops of the mountains.
May its crops be like Lebanon.
May people flourish in the cities
like the grass of the field.^(Q)
17 May his name endure forever;
as long as the sun shines,
may his fame increase.
May all nations be blessed by him
and call him blessed.^(R)

¹⁸ May the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does wonders, be praised.^(S)
19 May His glorious name be praised forever;
the whole earth is filled with His glory.^(T)
Amen and amen.
²⁰ The prayers of David son of Jesse are concluded.^(U)

⁴ They have an easy time until they die,^[g]
and their bodies are well fed.^[h](Z)
5 They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people.^(AA)
6 Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment.^(AB)
7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.^(AC)
8 They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression.^(AD)
9 They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth.^(AE)
10 Therefore His people turn to them^[i]
and drink in their overflowing words.^[j](AF)
11 The wicked say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything?”^(AG)
12 Look at them—the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth.^(AH)

¹³ Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?^(AI)
14 For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning.^(AJ)
15 If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed Your people.^[k](AK)
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless^[l](AL)
17 until I entered God’s sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny.^(AM)
18 Indeed, You put them in slippery places;
You make them fall into ruin.^(AN)
19 How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors.^(AO)
20 Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, You will despise their image.^(AP)

²¹ When I became embittered
and my innermost being^[m] was wounded,^(AQ)
22 I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward You.^(AR)
23 Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand.^(AS)
24 You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me up in glory.^[n](AT)
25 Who do I have in heaven but You?
And I desire nothing on earth but You.^(AU)
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength^[o] of my heart,
my portion forever.^(AV)
27 Those far from You will certainly perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.^(AW)
28 But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all You do.^(AX)