Psalms for Lack of Faith

Psalm 73

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no pangs; their bodies are sound and sleek. They are free from common human ills; they are not plagued like other men.

Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. Their eyes bulge with fatness; they do what their hearts desire.

They scoff, and wickedly speak of oppression; they speak from on high.

They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

Therefore, the people turn to them and find in them no fault.

And they say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”

Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.

All in vain have I kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence.

For all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak thus,” behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me, until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end.

Truly you set them in slippery places; you cast them down to destruction.

How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you arise, you will despise them as phantoms.

When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within,

I was foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

Nevertheless I am always with you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 42

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I enter and appear before God? My tears have become my food both day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?”

These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, my soul, and why groan within me? Hope in God; I will praise him again, my savior and my God.