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- «A Psalm by Asaph.»
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
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- But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
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- For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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- For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
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- They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
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- Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
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- Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
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- They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
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- They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
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- Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
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- They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
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- Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
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- Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,
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- For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning.
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- If I had said, "I will speak thus;" behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
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- When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;
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- Until I entered God's sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
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- Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
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- How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
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- As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
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- For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
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- I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
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- Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
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- You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
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- Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.
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- My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
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- For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
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- But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
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