1 Truly
God is good to Israel,
To such
as are pure in heart.
2 But as
for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps
had nearly slipped.
3 For I
was envious of the boastful,
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,
Nor are
they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore
pride serves as their necklace;
Violence
covers them like a garment.
7 Their
eyes bulge with
abundance;
They have
more than heart could wish.
8 They
scoff and speak wickedly
concerning oppression;
They
speak loftily.
9 They
set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue
walks through the earth.
10 Therefore
his people return here,
And
waters of a full cup are
drained by them.
11 And
they say, “How does God know?
And is
there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold,
these are the ungodly,
Who are
always at ease;
They
increase in riches.
13 Surely
I have cleansed my heart in
vain,
And
washed my hands in innocence.
14 For
all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every
morning.
15 If
I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold,
I would have been untrue to the
generation of Your children.
16 When
I thought how to understand
this,
It
was too painful for me—
17 Until
I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I
understood their end.
18 Surely
You set them in slippery places;
You cast
them down to destruction.
19 Oh,
how they are brought to
desolation, as in a moment!
They are
utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a
dream when one awakes,
So,
Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise
their image.
21 Thus
my heart was grieved,
And I
was vexed in my mind.
22 I
was so foolish and ignorant;
I was
like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless
I am continually with You;
You hold
me by my right hand.
24 You
will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive
me to glory.
25 Whom
have I in heaven but You?
And
there is none upon earth that
I desire besides You.
26 My
flesh and my heart fail;
But God is
the strength of my heart and my
portion forever.
27 For
indeed, those who are far from You
shall perish;
You have
destroyed all those who desert You
for harlotry.
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 Your works.