¶ A Psalm of Asaph. Truly² God³ is good to Israel, even to such⁴ as are of a clean heart⁵.

But⁶ as for me, my feet⁷ were almost gone; my steps⁸ had well nigh slipped.

For I was⁹ envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For there are no¹⁰ bands in their death: but their strength is firm¹¹.

They are¹² not in trouble as other¹³ men; neither are they plagued like other men.

Therefore¹⁴ pride compasseth them about as a chain¹⁵; violence¹⁶ covereth¹⁷ them as a garment.

Their eyes¹⁸ stand out with fatness: they have¹⁹ more than heart could wish.

They are corrupt²⁰, and speak wickedly²¹ concerning oppression: they speak loftily²².

They set²³ their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue²⁴ walketh through the earth.

¶ Therefore his people return hither: and waters²⁵ of a full cup are wrung out to them.

And they say, How²⁶ doth God know? and is there²⁷ knowledge in the most High?

Behold, these²⁸ are the ungodly, who prosper²⁹ in the world; they³⁰ increase in riches.

Verily³¹ I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed³² my hands in innocency.

For all³³ the day long have I been plagued, and chastened³⁴ every morning.

¶ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend³⁵ against the generation³⁶ of thy children.

When³⁷ I thought to know this, it was too painful for me³⁸;

Until³⁹ I went into the sanctuary of God; then⁴⁰ understood I their end.

Surely⁴¹ thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst⁴² them down into destruction.

How⁴³ are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are⁴⁴ utterly consumed with terrors.

¶ As a⁴⁵ dream when⁴⁶ one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their⁴⁷ image.

¶ Thus my heart⁴⁸ was grieved, and I was pricked in my⁴⁹ reins.

So⁵⁰ foolish was I, and ignorant⁵¹: I was as a beast before thee⁵².

Nevertheless⁵³ I am continually with thee: thou hast⁵⁴ holden me by my right hand.

Thou⁵⁵ shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive⁵⁶ me to glory.

Whom⁵⁷ have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon⁵⁸ earth that I desire beside thee.

My flesh⁵⁹ and my heart faileth: but⁶⁰ God is the strength⁶¹ of my heart, and my portion for ever.

For, lo,⁶² they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go⁶³ a whoring from thee.

But⁶⁴ it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may⁶⁵ declare all thy works.