[1] A Psalm of Asaph. [2] Truly God is good to the upright, to those who
are pure in heart. [3] But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps
had well nigh slipped. [4] For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw
the prosperity of the wicked. [5] For they have no pangs; their bodies are
sound and sleek. [6] They are not in trouble as other men are; they are not
stricken like other men. [7] Therefore pride is their necklace; violence
covers them as a garment. [8] Their eyes swell out with fatness, their
hearts overflow with follies. [9] They scoff and speak with malice; loftily
they threaten oppression. [10] They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth. [11] Therefore the people turn
and praise them; and find no fault in them. [12] And they say, "How can God
know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" [13] Behold, these are the
wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. [14] All in vain have I
kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. [15] For all the day
long I have been stricken, and chastened every morning. [16] If I had said,
"I will speak thus," I would have been untrue to the generation of thy
children. [17] But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a
wearisome task, [18] until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I
perceived their end. [19] Truly thou dost set them in slippery places; thou
dost make them fall to ruin. [20] How they are destroyed in a moment, swept
away utterly by terrors! [21] They are like a dream when one awakes, on
awaking you despise their phantoms. [22] When my soul was embittered, when
I was pricked in heart, [23] I was stupid and ignorant, I was like a beast
toward thee. [24] Nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou dost hold
my right hand. [25] Thou dost guide me with thy counsel, and afterward thou
wilt receive me to glory. [26] Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is
nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee. [27] My flesh and my heart
may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. [28]
For lo, those who are far from thee shall perish; thou dost put an end to
those who are false to thee. [ (Psalms 73:29) But for me it is good to be
near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all thy
works. ]
