A Psalm of Asaph.
1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so , O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
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 thy works.
1 A Psalme committed to Asaph. Yet God is good to Israel: euen, to the pure in heart. 2 As for me, my feete were almost gone: my steps had well neere slipt. 3 For I feared at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperitie of the wicked. 4 For there are no bandes in their death, but they are lustie and strong. 5 They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued with other men. 6 Therefore pride is as a chayne vnto them, and crueltie couereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stande out for fatnesse: they haue more then heart can wish. 8 They are licentious, and speake wickedly of their oppression: they talke presumptuously. 9 They set their mouth against heauen, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people turne hither: for waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11 And they say, Howe doeth God know it? or is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches. 13 Certainely I haue clensed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie. 14 For dayly haue I bene punished, and chastened euery morning. 15 If I say, I will iudge thus, beholde the generation of thy children: I haue trespassed. 16 Then thought I to know this, but it was too painefull for me, 17 Vntill I went into the Sanctuarie of God: then vnderstoode I their ende. 18 Surely thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest them downe into desolation. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, perished and horribly consumed, 20 As a dreame when one awaketh! O Lord, when thou raisest vs vp, thou shalt make their image despised. 21 Certainely mine heart was vexed, and I was pricked in my reines: 22 So foolish was I and ignorant: I was a beast before thee. 23 Yet I was alway with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou wilt guide me by thy counsell, and afterward receiue me to glory. 25 Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and I haue desired none in the earth with thee. 26 My flesh fayleth and mine heart also: but God is the strength of mine heart, and my portion for euer. 27 For loe, they that withdrawe themselues from thee, shall perish: thou destroyest all them that goe a whoring from thee. 28 As for me, it is good for me to draw neere to God: therefore I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy workes.