1. |
Surely God is good to Israel, `Even' to such as are pure in heart. |
2. |
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped. |
3. |
For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. |
4. |
For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm. |
5. |
They are not in trouble as `other' men; Neither are they plagued like `other' men. |
6. |
Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment. |
7. |
Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish. |
8. |
They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily. |
9. |
They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth. |
10. |
Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full `cup' are drained by them. |
11. |
And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? |
12. |
Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches. |
13. |
Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency; |
14. |
For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning. |
15. |
If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children. |
16. |
When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me; |
17. |
Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end. |
18. |
Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction. |
19. |
How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. |
20. |
As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image. |
21. |
For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart: |
22. |
So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was `as' a beast before thee. |
23. |
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand. |
24. |
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. |
25. |
Whom have I in heaven `but thee'? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. |
26. |
My flesh and my heart faileth; `But' God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. |
27. |
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, `departing' from thee. |
28. |
But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works. Psalm 74 Maschil of Asaph. |