A Psalm of Asaph.
1 | Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. |
2 | But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. |
3 | For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. |
4 | For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. |
5 | They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. |
6 | Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. |
7 | Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. |
8 | They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. |
9 | They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. |
10 | Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. |
11 | And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? |
12 | Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. |
13 | Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. |
14 | For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. |
15 | If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. |
16 | When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; |
17 | Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. |
18 | Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. |
19 | How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. |
20 | As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. |
21 | Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. |
22 | So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. |
23 | Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. |
24 | Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. |
25 | Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. |
26 | My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. |
27 | For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. |
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 thy works. |