1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, to the pure of heart.
2 And I, my foot had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was jealous of the proud, [when] I saw the peace of the wicked.
4 For [there are] no bands in their death; but their strength [is] fat.
5 They [are] not in trouble [like other] men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride enchains them; violence covers them [like] a robe.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness; they have more than the heart could imagine.
8 They scoff and speak in malice of cruelty; from on high they speak.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore His people return here, and waters of a full [cup are] wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who are at ease in the world; they increase [in] riches.
13 Surely I have made my heart pure [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I would deceive a generation of Your sons.
16 When I thought deeply in order to understand this, it [was] painful for me,
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How have they been [brought] into grief, as in a moment! They are fully eaten up with terrors,
20 like a dream when [one] awakens; so, O LORD, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
21 For my heart was grieved and I was pricked [in] my reins.
22 So foolish [was] I, and I did not know; I was [like] a beast before You.
23 But I [am] always with You; You have held [me] by my right hand.
24 You shall lead me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.
25 Whom have I in Heaven? And besides You I desire none on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart fail; [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my part forever.
27 For lo, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all who go lusting away from You.
28 And I, [it is] good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the LORD God, to declare all Your works.