A Psalm of Asaph.
1 Surely God is good to Israel,evento such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the arrogant, 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 asothermen; neither are they plagued likeothermen.
6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a fullcupare wrung out by them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these are the wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.
13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, I will speak thus; behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought how I might know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.
18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: thou castest them down to destruction.
19 How are they become a desolation 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 For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins:
22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I wasasa beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heavenbut thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth:butGod 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 unto God: I have made the LordGODmy refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.