1 (Mizmor of Asaph)

Truly Elohim is tov to Yisroel,

even to the barei levav (pure of heart).

2 But as for me, my raglayim had almost stumbled;

my steps had well near slipped.

3 For I had kina (envy) of the holelim (arrogant ones),

when I saw the shalom of the resha’im.

4 For there are no chartzubot (fetters, bonds, pains) in their mot;

healthy is their belly.

5 They are not in amal (trouble) as enosh;

neither are they plagued like adam.

6 Therefore ga’avah encircleth them like a chain necklace;

chamas enwraps them like a garment.

7 Their eyes bulge with chelev;

they have more than levav could imagine.

8 They mock, and speak wickedly concerning oshek (oppression);

they speak from marom (on high).

9 They set their mouth against Shomayim,

and their leshon stalketh in ha’aretz.

10 Therefore their people return here;

and mayim to the full are swallowed down by them.

11 And they say, How doth El (G-d) know?

And is there knowledge in Elyon?

12 Hinei, these are the resha’im;

at ease olam, they increase in riches.

13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my lev,

and washed my hands in innocency.

14 For kol hayom have I been plagued,

and chastened in the bekarim (mornings).

15 If I say, I will speak thus;

hinei, I would have dealt faithlessly with the dor banecha (the generation of Thy children).

16 When I thought to comprehend this,

it was amal (difficulty) in my eyes;

17 Until I went into the Mikdeshei El;

then I had binah (understanding) of their (the wickedʼs) destiny.

18 Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places;

Thou castedst them down into mashu’ot (ruins, destruction).

19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a rega (moment)!

They are utterly consumed with balahot (terrors).

20 As a chalom when one awaketh;

so, Adonoi, when Thou art aroused,*73:20 in judgment Thou shalt despise their tzelem (shadowy form).

21 Thus my levav was grieved,

and I was pricked in my mind.

22 So senseless was I, and ignorant;

I was like behemot before Thee.

23 Nevertheless I am with Thee tamid (always);

Thou hast taken hold of me by my yamin.

24 Thou shalt guide me with Thy etzah (counsel),

and afterward take me to kavod (glory).

25 Whom have I in Shomayim but Thee?

And there is none upon HaAretz that I desire beside Thee.

26 My flesh and my levav may fail;

but Elohim is the Tzur of my levav, and my chelek l’olam.

27 For, hinei, they that are far from Thee shall perish;

Thou hast destroyed all them that go zoneh (a-whoring) from Thee.

28 But kiravat Elohim (drawing near to Elohim) is tov for me;

I make in Adonoi Hashem my refuge,

that I may declare all Thy deeds.