[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 had almost slipped.
[3] For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
[4] For there are no pains in their death, And their body is fat.
[5] They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like mankind.
[6] Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them.
[7] Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot.
[8] They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.
[9] They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth.
[10] Therefore his people return to this place, And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
[11] They say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge 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 kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence;
[14] For I have been stricken all day long And 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 troublesome in my sight
[17] Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.
[18] Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
[19] How they are 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 form.
[21] When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within,
[22] Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast 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 to glory.
[25] Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
[26] My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
[27] For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
[28] But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.