^1. SURELY God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!

^2. But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps [1] had almost slipped.

^3. For I was envious of the [2] arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

^4. For there are no pains in their death, And their [3] body is fat.

^5. They are not [6] in trouble as other [5] men, Nor are they plagued [4] like mankind.

^6. Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them.

^7. Their eye [8] bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart [7] run riot.

^8. They mock and [9] wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.

^9. They have set their mouth [11] against the heavens, And their tongue [10] parades through the earth.

^10. Therefore [13] his people return to this place, And waters of abundance are [12] drunk by them.

^11. They say, « How does God know? And is there knowledge [14] with the Most High?»

^12. Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.

^13. Surely in vain I have [15] kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence;

^14. For I have been stricken all day long And [16] chastened every morning.

^15. If I had said, «I will speak thus,» Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.

^16. When I pondered to understand this, It was [17] troublesome in my sight

^17. Until I came into the [18] sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.

^18. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to [19] destruction.

^19. How they are [20] destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!

^20. Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their [21] form.

^21. When my heart was embittered And I was pierced [22] within,

^22. Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like [24] a beast [23] before You.

^23. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand.

^24. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me [25] to glory.

^25. Whom have I in heaven but You? And [26] besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

^26. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the [27] strength of my heart and my portion forever.

^27. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have [29] destroyed all those who [28] are unfaithful to You.

^28. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord [30] GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.