The Book of Psalms

[A Psalm of Asaph.] Truly God [is] good to Israel, to those who are of a pure heart.

And [as for] me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps nearly made to slip.

For I was jealous of the proud; I looked upon the peace of the wicked.

For [there are] no pangs to their death; but their body [is] fat.

They [are] not in the misery of mortal man; and with men they are not touched.

So pride enchains them; violence covers them [like] a robe.

Their eyes go out with fatness; they have passed the imaginations of the heart.

They scoff and speak in malice; from on high they speak cruelty.

They set their mouth in the heavens; and their tongues walk through the earth.

Because of this His people shall return here; and waters of a full [cup shall be] drained by them.

And they say, How does God know? And, Is there knowledge in the Most High?

Behold! These [are] the ungodly who are always at ease; they increase their riches.

Surely I have purified my heart [in] vain; and I have washed my hands in innocence.

For all the day long I was touched; and my chastening is at the mornings.

If I say, This is the way I will speak; behold, I would deceive a generation of Your sons.

And [although] I thought, [that I might] understand this, it [was] painful in my eyes,

until I went into the sanctuary of God; now I understood their end.

Surely, You will set their [feet] in slippery places; You will make them fall into ruin.

How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away with terrors!

Like a dream [at the time] from dreaming, O Lord, in awaking You will despise their image.

For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pierced [in] my reins.

And I [was] brutish and did not know; I was [like] animals with You.

You shall guide me by Your counsel; and afterward [You] will take me [to] glory.

Whom have I in Heaven? And I have no desire on earth besides You.

My flesh and my heart waste away; God [is] the rock of my heart and my portion forever.

For, lo, those who are far from You shall be lost; You have cut off all who go whoring away from You.

[As for] me, [it is] good for me to draw near to God; I have made my refuge in the Lord Jehovah, to declare all Your works.