A psalm of Asaph.{HR}Truly God [is] good to Israel,{HR}To the pure of heart.
And as for me, my feet were almost gone,{HR}My steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the arrogant (fools),{HR}Seeing the peace of wicked (men).
For [there are] no pangs in their death,{HR}And their strength [is] firm (fat).
In the hardships of men they [are] not,{HR}And with mankind are not smitten.
Therefore hath pride enchained them,{HR}A garment of violence covereth them.
Their eyes stand out with fatness,{HR}The imaginations of their heart overflow.
They mock and speak wickedly of oppression;{HR}From on high they speak.
They set their mouth in the heavens,{HR}And their tongue walketh in the earth.
Therefore his people turn hither,{HR}And waters of fullness are wrung out to them.
And they say, How should God (El) know?{HR}And is there knowledge in the Most High?
Behold, these [are] wicked and prosperous forever;{HR}They increase in substance.
Truly in vain I have cleansed my heart{HR}And washed my hands in innocency;
And I was smitten all the day,{HR}And my rebuking [is] at the mornings.
If I have said, I will declare thus, behold,{HR}I have offended the generation of thy sons.
When I thought to know this,{HR}A hardship it [was] in mine eyes,
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God (El):{HR}I considered their end.
Truly thou settest them in slippery places,{HR}Thou hast caused them to fall into ruins.
How are they a desolation in a moment!{HR}They have passed, consumed with terrors.
As a dream on awaking, so, O Lord (Adonai),{HR}In arising, wilt thou despise their image.
For my heart was in a ferment,{HR}And I was pricked in my reins;
And I [was] brutish and knew nothing:{HR}A beast I was with thee.
Yet I [am] continually with thee:{HR}Thou hast holden my right hand.
By thy counsel thou wilt guide me,{HR}And after glory wilt receive me.
Whom have I in the heavens?{HR}And beside thee none I desire upon the earth.
My flesh and my heart faileth;{HR}Rock of my heart and my portion [is] God forever.
For, behold, those far from me shall perish;{HR}Thou hast destroyed everyone whoring from thee.
And as for me [it is] good to draw near to God:{HR}I have made Adonai Jehovah my refuge to declare all thy works.