BOOK III
A Psalm of Asaph.
1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling. Yes, my steps had nearly slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no pains in their death, but their belly is fat.
5The troubles of other men are not theirs, nor are they afflicted like other people.
6Therefore pride is their necklace. A garment of violence covers them.
7Their eyes bulge out from their fatness. Their heart overflows with delusions.
8They mock and speak evil. They arrogantly speak oppression.
9They have set their mouth against the heavens. And their tongue walks through the earth.
10Therefore God’s people turn to them here, and they slurp up waters of abundance.
11And they say, “How does God know?” And, “Is there knowledge with the Most High?”
12Behold, these are the wicked! Being always at ease, they increase in wealth.
13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence,
14For all day long have I been afflicted, and my reproof came every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak like they do,” behold, I would have acted unfaithfully toward the generation of your children.
16When I tried to understand this, it was troubling to me;
17until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I perceived their end.
18Surely you set them in slippery places. You will cast them down in their deception.
19How in a moment they will become a horror! They come to an end—they perished by destructive events.
20They are like a dream when one wakes up; O Lord, when aroused you will despise their mere shadow.
21When my heart was embittered and my kidneys felt pierced,
22then I was stupid and ignorant. I became like a senseless animal before you.
23Nevertheless I am continually with you. You have taken hold of my right hand.
24You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will lead me to a position of honor.
25Whom do I have in the heavens? And there is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
26My flesh and my heart grow weak, but God is the rock of my heart and my portion forever.
27For behold, those who depart from you will perish. You have destroyed all those who act like a prostitute toward you.
28But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may recount all your works.
REV Bible
