| A Psalm of Asaph. | |
| 1 | Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. |
| 2 | But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. |
| 3 | For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. |
| 4 | For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. |
| 5 | They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. |
| 6 | Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. |
| 7 | Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. |
| 8 | They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. |
| 9 | They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. |
| 10 | Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them. |
| 11 | And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” |
| 12 | Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. |
| 13 | Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. |
| 14 | For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. |
| 15 | If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. |
| 16 | When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— |
| 17 | Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. |
| 18 | Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. |
| 19 | Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. |
| 20 | As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. |
| 21 | Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. |
| 22 | I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. |
| 23 | Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. |
| 24 | You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. |
| 25 | Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. |
| 26 | My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. |
| 27 | For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. |
| 28 | But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works. |
