Psalms

1với những kẻ có lòng trong sạch !

2một chút nữa là tôi phải trượt chân,

3và thấy ác nhân thịnh đạt hoài.

4chúng có thân hình mạnh mẽ phương phi,

5chẳng bị tai ương giống người đời.

6lấy thói bạo tàn làm áo che thân.

7và tâm địa chan chứa những mưu mô.

8lại kiêu căng bàn chuyện ức hiếp người ;

9lưỡi tự do tung hoành cõi đất.

10lời chúng thốt ra, hăm hở nuốt vào.

11Đấng Tối Cao nào hiểu chuyện chi !”

12chúng vẫn cứ an nhàn, thu tích thêm của cải.

13giữ lòng trong trắng, giữ tay thanh sạch !

14mỗi sớm mai hình phạt sẵn chờ.

15thì con đã thất trung với giống dòng con Chúa.

16nhưng đối với con thật là vất vả ;

17con mới am tường hậu vận chúng ra sao.

18đẩy cho rơi vào cảnh điêu tàn.

19nỗi kinh hoàng ập xuống, cuốn mất cả tăm hơi !

20như giấc mộng phai mờ lúc người ta thức dậy.

21và nỗi đớn đau thấu tận ruột gan,

22trước mặt Ngài, như thú vật nào hơn !

23tay con Ngài nắm chẳng buông chẳng rời,

24một mai đưa tới rạng ngời quang vinh.

25bên Ngài thế sự thật tình chẳng ham.

26muôn đời là Chúa cao tôn.

27những kẻ phụ Ngài, Ngài diệt cả đi.

28nơi cửa vào thành thánh Xi-on.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28But 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.