A Psalm of Asaph.
1
Surely God is good to Israel, [Even] to 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 pangs 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 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 full [cup] are drained 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 wilt despise their image.
21
For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:
22
So brutish was I, and ignorant;
I was [as] a beast before thee.
23
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.
24
Thou wilt 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 besides 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 play the harlot, [departing] from thee.
28
But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.