1A psalm of Asaph. Yes, God is good to the upright, the Lord to the pure in heart.
2But my feet were almost gone, my steps had nearly slipped,
3through envy of godless braggarts, when I saw how well they fared.
4For never a pang have they, their body is sound and sleek.
5They have no trouble like mortals, no share in human pain.
6So they wear their pride like a necklace, they put on the garment of wrong,
7their eyes stand out with fatness, their heart swells with riotous fancies.
8Their speech is mocking and evil, condescending and crooked their speech.
9They have set their mouth in the heavens, while their tongue struts about on the earth.
10Small wonder that people resort to them, and drink deep draughts of their lore.
11“How does God know?” they say, “And has the Most High any knowledge?”
12See! These are the godless, with wealth and ease ever increasing.
13Yes, in vain have I kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence;
14for all the day long was I plagued not a morning but I was chastised.
15But to resolve to speak like they do would be treachery to your children.
16So I sought to understand it, but a wearisome task it seemed:
17till I entered the holy world of God and saw clearly their destiny.
18Yes, you set them on slippery places; down to destruction you hurl them.
19One moment and then what a horror of ruin! They are finished and ended in terrors.
20Like a dream, when one wakes, shall they be, whose phantoms the waker despises.
21So my bitterness of mind and the pain that stabbed my heart
22show how dull I was and stupid just like a beast before you.
23But I am always with you, you have hold of my right hand.
24By a plan of yours you guide me and will afterward take me to glory.
25Whom have I in the heavens but you? And on earth there is none I desire beside you.
26Though flesh and heart waste away, yet God is the rock of my heart, yet God is my portion forever.
27For see! Those who are far from you must perish, you destroy all who are false to you.
28But I am happy when close to God; the Lord my God I have made my refuge, that I may recount all the things you have done.
