- 1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
- 2But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
- 3For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- 4For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
- 5They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
- 6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
- 7Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
- 8They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
- 9They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
- 10Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
- 11They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
- 12Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
- 13Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,
- 14For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning.
- 15If I had said, “I will speak thus”; behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
- 16When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;
- 17Until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
- 18Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
- 19How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
- 20As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
- 21For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
- 22I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
- 23Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
- 24You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
- 25Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
- 26My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- 27For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
- 28But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord the Lord my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.