| 1
| Truly, God is good to Israel, *
to those who are pure in heart.
|
| 2
| But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; *
I had almost tripped and fallen;
|
| 3
| Because I envied the proud *
and saw the prosperity of the wicked:
|
| 4
| For they suffer no pain, *
and their bodies are sleek and sound;
|
| 5
| In the misfortunes of others they have no share; *
they are not afflicted as others are;
|
| 6
| Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace *
and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.
|
| 7
| Their iniquity comes from gross minds, *
and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.
|
| 8
| They scoff and speak maliciously; *
out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.
|
| 9
| They set their mouths against the heavens, *
and their evil speech runs through the world.
|
| 10
| And so the people turn to them *
and find in them no fault.
|
| 11
| They say, "How should God know? *
is there knowledge in the Most High?"
|
| 12
| So then, these are the wicked; *
always at ease, they increase their wealth.
|
| 13
| In vain have I kept my heart clean, *
and washed my hands in innocence.
|
| 14
| I have been afflicted all day long, *
and punished every morning.
|
| 15
| Had I gone on speaking this way, *
I should have betrayed the generation of your children.
|
| 16
| When I tried to understand these things, *
it was too hard for me;
|
| 17
| Until I entered the sanctuary of God *
and discerned the end of the wicked.
|
| 18
| Surely, you set them in slippery places; *
you cast them down in ruin.
|
| 19
| Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, *
come to an end, and perish from terror!
|
| 20
| Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, *
when you arise you will make their image vanish.
|
| 21
| When my mind became embittered, *
I was sorely wounded in my heart.
|
| 22
| I was stupid and had no understanding; *
I was like a brute beast in your presence.
|
| 23
| Yet I am always with you; *
you hold me by my right hand.
|
| 24
| You will guide me by your counsel, *
and afterwards receive me with glory.
|
| 25
| Whom have I in heaven but you? *
and having you I desire nothing upon earth.
|
| 26
| Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *
God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
|
| 27
| Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *
you destroy all who are unfaithful.
|
| 28
| But it is good for me to be near God; *
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.
|
| 29
| I will speak of all your works *
in the gates of the city of Zion.
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