A Psalm of Asaph
. Truly God
is good
to Israel
, even to such as are of a clean
heart
.
But as for me, my feet were almost
gone
; my steps
had well nigh
slipped
.
For I was envious at the foolish
, when I saw
the prosperity
of the wicked
.
For there are no bands in their death
: but their strength
is firm
.
They are not in trouble as other men
; neither are they plagued
like
other men
.
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain
; violence
covereth
them as a garment
.
Their eyes stand out
with fatness
: they have more
than heart
could wish
.
They are corrupt, and speak
wickedly
concerning oppression
: they speak
loftily
.
They set their mouth
against the heavens
, and their tongue
walketh
through the earth
.
Therefore his people return
hither
: and waters
of a full
cup are wrung out
to them.
And they say, How doth God
know
? and is there
knowledge
in the most High
?
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper
in the world
; they increase
in riches
.
Verily I have cleansed my heart
in vain
, and washed
my hands
in innocency
.
For all the day long have I been plagued
, and chastened
every morning
.
If I say, I will speak
thus
; behold, I should offend
against the generation
of thy children
.
When I thought to know
this, it was too painful
for me
;
Until I went into the sanctuary
of God
; then understood
I their end
.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places
: thou castedst them down
into destruction
.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment
! they are utterly
consumed
with terrors
.
As a dream when one awaketh
; so , O Lord
, when thou awakest
, thou shalt despise
their image
.
Thus my heart was grieved
, and I was pricked
in my reins
.
So foolish was I, and ignorant
: I was as a beast
before thee.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden
me by my right
hand
.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel
, and afterward
receive
me to glory
.
Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth
that I desire
beside thee.
My flesh and my heart
faileth
: but God
is the strength
of my heart
, and my portion
for ever
.
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish
: thou hast destroyed
all them that go a whoring
from thee.
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
.