1: A Psalm of Asaph. 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 afflicted like [other] men. 6: Therefore pride encompasseth them 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 innocence. 14: For all the day long have I been afflicted, 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] I understood their end. 18: Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast 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 wilt 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 held [me] by 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 go astray 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.
