1 BOOK III. A Psalm of Asaph. 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 near 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 common man; Neither are they plagued like man.

6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covers 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 walks through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return here: And waters of a full [cup] are drained by them.

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

12 Look, these are the wicked; And, being always at ease, they increase in riches.

13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence;

14 For all the day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.

15 If I had said, I will speak thus; Look, I would have betrayed the generation of your sons.

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 you set them in slippery places: You cast them down to destruction.

19 How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are completely consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream when one awakes, So, O Lord, when you awake, you will 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 you.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with you: You have held my right hand.

24 You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven [but you] And there is none on earth that I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart fails; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For, look, those who are far from you will perish: You have destroyed all those prostituting from you.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have made the Sovereign Yahweh my refuge, That I may tell of all your works.