The Prosperity of the Wicked
Psalms 72
Asaph confesses that he nearly stumbled in faith on seeing the prosperous ease and pride of the wicked, who suffer no common troubles and mock heaven itself, until he entered the sanctuary of God and there understood their sudden, coming downfall. He concludes that though his heart may fail, God is his strength and portion forever, and that nearness to God is his true good.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonHOW good is God to Israel! To such as are upright in heart!
BrentonA Psalm for Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to the upright in heart!
GreekΨαλμὸς τῷ Ἀσάφ. Ὡς ἀγαθὸς ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Ἰσραὴλ, τοῖς εὐθέσι καρδίᾳ.
KJVTruly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
JPSA Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart.
2
ThomsonBut as for me, my feet were almost gone: my steps had well nigh slipped;
BrentonBut my feet were almost overthrown; my goings very nearly slipped.
GreekἘμοῦ δὲ παρὰ μικρὸν ἐσαλεύθησαν οἱ πόδες, παρʼ ὀλίγον ἐξεχύθη τὰ διαβήματά μου.
KJVBut as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
JPSBut as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3
Thomson—
BrentonFor I was jealous of the transgressors, beholding the tranquillity of sinners.
GreekὍτι ἐζήλωσα ἐπὶ τοῖς ἀνόμοις, εἰρήνην ἁμαρτωλῶν θεωρῶν.
KJV—
JPS—
4
ThomsonFor there is no lifting up of eyes in their death: and in their affliction they have support.
BrentonFor there is no sign of reluctance in their death: and they have firmness under their affliction.
GreekὍτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνάνευσις ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ αὐτῶν, καὶ στερέωμα ἐν τῇ μάστιγι αὐτῶν.
KJVFor there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
JPSFor there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
5
ThomsonThey are not in trouble like other men; nor with other men to be scourged.
BrentonThey are not in the troubles of other men; and they shall not be scourged with other men.
GreekἘν κόποις ἀνθρώπων οὐκ εἰσὶ, καὶ μετὰ ἀνθρώπων οὐ μαστιγωθήσονται.
KJVThey are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
JPSIn the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
6
ThomsonTherefore haughtiness hath got a mastery over them—they have clothed themselves with their iniquity and impiety.
BrentonTherefore pride has possessed them; they have clothed themselves with their injustice and ungodliness.
GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο ἐκράτησεν αὐτοὺς ἡ ὑπερηφανία, περιεβάλοντο ἀδικίαν καὶ ἀσέβειαν αὐτῶν.
KJV—
JPS—
7
Thomson—
BrentonTheir injustice shall go forth as out of fatness: they have fulfilled their intention.
GreekἘξελεύσεται ὡς ἐκ στέατος ἡ ἀδικία αὐτῶν· διῆλθον εἰς διάθεσιν καρδίας.
KJVTheir eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
JPS—
8
Thomson—
BrentonThey have taken counsel and spoken in wickedness: they have uttered unrighteousness loftily.
GreekΔιενοήθησαν, καὶ ἐλάλησαν ἐν πονηρίᾳ, ἀδικίαν εἰς τὸ ὕψος ἐλάλησαν.
KJV—
JPS—
9
ThomsonThey set their mouth against heaven; and their tongue passed on over the earth.
BrentonThey have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has gone through upon the earth.
GreekἜθεντο εἰς οὐρανὸν τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα αὐτῶν διῆλθεν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
KJVThey set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
JPSThey have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.
10
ThomsonShall my people therefore turn to this; and will full days be found by them?
BrentonTherefore shall my people return hither: and full days shall be found with them.
GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο ἐπιστρέψει ὁ λαός μου ἐνταῦθα, καὶ ἡμέραι πλήρεις εὑρεθήσονται ἐν αὐτοῖς.
KJVTherefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
JPSTherefore His people return hither; And waters of fullness are drained out by them.
11
ThomsonThey indeed said, How doth God know? and, Is there any knowledge in the Most High?
BrentonAnd they said, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν, πῶς ἔγνω ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ εἰ ἔστι γνῶσις ἐν τῷ ὑψίστῳ;
KJVAnd they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
JPSAnd they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
12
ThomsonBehold these who are sinful men; are always prosperous and have gotten wealth.
BrentonBehold, these are the sinners, and they that prosper always: they have possessed wealth.
GreekἸδοὺ οὗτοι οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ καὶ εὐθηνοῦντες εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, κατέσχον πλούτου.
KJVBehold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
JPSBehold, such are the wicked; And they that are always at ease increase riches.
13
ThomsonNay, I myself said, Have I then in vain kept my heart just and washed my hands in innocence?
BrentonAnd I said, Verily in vain have I justified my heart, and washed my hands in innocency.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπα, ἄρα ματαίως ἐδικαίωσα τὴν καρδίαν μου, καὶ ἐνιψάμην ἐν ἀθώοις τὰς χεῖράς μου·
KJVVerily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
JPSSurely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;
14
ThomsonAll the day long I have been scourged; and the accusation against me is renewed every morning.
BrentonFor I was plagued all the day, and my reproof was every morning.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενόμην μεμαστιγωμένος ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, καὶ ὁ ἔλεγχός μου εἰς τὰς πρωΐας.
KJVFor all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
JPSFor all the day have I been plagued, And my chastisement came every morning.
15
ThomsonHad I said, I will make such a declaration openly: I should have been treacherous to the generation of thy children.
BrentonIf I said, I will speak thus; behold, I should have broken covenant with the generation of thy children.
GreekΕἰ ἔλεγον, διηγήσομαι οὕτως, ἰδοὺ τῇ γενεᾷ τῶν υἱῶν σου ἠσυνθέτηκα.
KJVIf I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
JPSIf I had said: 'I will speak thus', Behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
16
Thomson—
BrentonAnd I undertook to understand this, but it is too hard for me,
GreekΚαὶ ὑπέλαβον τοῦ γνῶναι, τοῦτο κόπος ἐστὶν ἐναντίον μου,
KJVWhen I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
JPS—
17
ThomsonWhen I go to the sanctuary of God; I may understand the final issue.
Brentonuntil I go into the sanctuary of God; and so understand the latter end.
Greekἕως εἰσέλθω εἰς τὸ ἁγιαστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ, συνῶ εἰς τὰ ἔσχατα.
KJVUntil I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
JPSUntil I entered into the sanctuary of God, And considered their end.
18
Thomson—
BrentonSurely thou hast appointed judgments to them because of their crafty dealings: thou hast cast them down when they were lifted up.
GreekΠλὴν διὰ τὰς δολιότητας ἔθου αὐτοῖς, κατέβαλες αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ἐπαρθῆναι.
KJV—
JPS—
19
ThomsonO! how they were for destruction! They are gone in a moment! They perished for their iniquity!
BrentonHow have they become desolate! suddenly they have failed: they have perished because of their iniquity.
GreekΠῶς ἐγένοντο εἰς ἐρήμωσιν; ἐξάπινα ἐξέλιπον, ἀπώλοντο διὰ τὴν ἀνομίαν αὐτῶν.
KJV—
JPS—
20
ThomsonAs a dream of one awakened out of sleep. Thou, O Lord, in Thy city wilt spurn their ghost;
BrentonAs the dream of one awakening, O Lord, in thy city thou wilt despise their image.
GreekὩσεὶ ἐνύπνιον ἐξεγειρομένου, Κύριε ἐν τῇ πόλει σου τὴν εἰκόνα αὐτῶν ἐξουδενώσεις.
KJVAs a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
JPSAs a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.
21
Thomsontherefore my heart was cheered and my reins were changed.
BrentonFor my heart has rejoiced, and my reins have been gladdened.
GreekὍτι ηὐφράνθη ἡ καρδία μου, καὶ οἱ νεφροί μου ἠλλοιώθησαν.
KJVThus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
JPSFor my heart was in a ferment, And I was pricked in my reins. .
22
ThomsonI indeed was despicable for my want of knowledge; I was brutish as a beast before Thee.
BrentonBut I was vile and knew not: I became brutish before thee.
GreekΚᾀγὼ ἐξουδενωμένος, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνων, κτηνώδης ἐγενόμην παρὰ σοὶ,
KJV—
JPSBut I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
23
ThomsonAs for me I shall be with Thee continually: Thou hast held me by my right hand:
BrentonYet I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand.
Greekκᾀγὼ διαπαντὸς μετὰ σου· ἐκράτησας τῆς χειρὸς τῆς δεξιᾶς μου,
KJVNevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
JPSNevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
24
Thomsonwith Thy counsel Thou hast guided me, and taken me to thyself with glory.
BrentonThou hast guided me by thy counsel, and thou hast taken me to thyself with glory.
Greekἐν τῇ βουλῇ σου ὡδήγησάς με, καὶ μετὰ δόξης προσελάβου με.
KJVThou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
JPSThou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, And afterward receive me with glory.
25
ThomsonFor what is there in heaven for me; or what on earth have I desired, besides Thee?
BrentonFor what have I in heaven but thee? and what have I desired upon the earth beside thee?
GreekΤί γάρ μοι ὑπάρχει ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ παρὰ σοῦ τί ἠθέλησα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς;
KJVWhom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
JPSWhom have I in heaven but Thee? And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.
26
ThomsonHath my heart and my flesh failed? God is the strength of my heart—God is my portion forever.
BrentonMy heart and my flesh have failed: but God is the strength of my heart, and God is my portion for ever.
GreekἘξέλιπεν ἡ καρδία μου καὶ ἡ σάρξ μου, ὁ Θεὸς τῆς καρδίας μου, καὶ ἡ μερίς μου ὁ Θεὸς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
KJVMy flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
JPSMy flesh and my heart faileth; But God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.
27
ThomsonSeeing they who withdrew themselves from Thee, shall perish—Thou hast cut off everyone who goeth a-whoring from Thee:
BrentonFor, behold, they that remove themselves far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed every one that goes a whoring from thee.
GreekὍτι ἰδοὺ οἱ μακρύνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ σοῦ, ἀπολοῦνται· ἐξωλόθρευσας πάντα τὸν πορνεύοντα ἀπὸ σοῦ.
KJVFor, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
JPSFor, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish; Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.
28
ThomsonIt is therefore good for me to cleave to God—to place my hope upon the Lord: that I may publish all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
BrentonBut it is good for me to cleave close to God, to put my trust in the Lord; that I may proclaim all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
GreekἘμοὶ δὲ τὸ προσκολλᾶσθαι τῷ Θεῷ ἀγαθόν ἐστι, τίθεσθαι ἐν τῷ Κυρίῳ τὴν ἐλπίδα μου· τοῦ ἐξαγγεῖλαι πάσας τὰς αἰνέσεις σου ἐν ταῖς πύλαις τῆς θυγατρὸς Σιών.
KJVBut it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
JPSBut as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Thy works.