Psalms

A Psalm by Asaph.

1Surely Godis 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 I have cleansed my heart in vain,and washed my hands in innocence,

14For all day long I have 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 GODmy refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1Surely God is good to Israel,to those who are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;my steps had nearly slipped.

3For I envied the arrogantwhen I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4They have no struggle in their death;their bodies are well-fed.

5They are free of the burdens others carry;they are not afflicted like other men.

6Therefore pride is their necklace;a garment of violence covers them.

7From their prosperity proceeds iniquity;the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

8They mock and speak with malice;with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9They set their mouths against the heavens,and their tongues strut across the earth.

10So their peoplereturn to this placeand drink up waters in abundance.

11The wicked say, “How can God know?Does the Most High have knowledge?”

12Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.

13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure;in innocence I have washed my hands.

14For I am afflicted all day longand punished every morning.

15If I had said, “I will speak this way,”then I would have betrayed Your children.

16When I tried to understand all this,it was troublesome in my sight

17until I entered God’s sanctuary;then I discerned their end.

18Surely You set them on slick ground;You cast them down into ruin.

19How suddenly they are laid waste,completely swept away by terrors!

20Like one waking from a dream,so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

21When my heart was grievedand I was pierced within,

22I was senseless and ignorant;I was a brute beast before You.

23Yet I am always with You;You hold my right hand.

24You guide me with Your counsel,and later receive me in glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but You?And on earth I desire no one besides You.

26My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strengthof my heart and my portion forever.

27Those far from You will surely perish;You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.

28But as for me, it is good to draw near to God.I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.