1 Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;3 Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.4 For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.6 For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.7 Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.8 Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.9 Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.10 For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.11 And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?12 Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.13 As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;14 For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.15 If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.16 When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;17 Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.18 You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.19 How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.20 As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.21 My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:22 As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.23 But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.24 Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.26 My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.27 For those who are far away from you will come to destruction: you will put an end to all those who have not kept faith with you.28 But it is good for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.

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.