1 T ruly God is good to Israel, even to those who are upright and pure in heart.

2 B ut as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped.

3 F or I was envious of the foolish and arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 F or they suffer no violent pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.

5 T hey are not in trouble as other men; neither are they smitten and plagued like other men.

6 T herefore pride is about their necks like a chain; violence covers them like a garment.

7 T heir eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish; and the imaginations of their minds overflow.

8 T hey scoff, and wickedly utter oppression; they speak loftily.

9 T hey set their mouths against and speak down from heaven, and their tongues swagger through the earth.

10 T herefore His people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them.

11 A nd they say, How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?

12 B ehold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are at ease in the world; they increase in riches.

13 S urely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency.

14 F or all the day long have I been smitten and plagued, and chastened every morning.

15 H ad I spoken thus, I would have been untrue and have dealt treacherously against the generation of Your children.

16 B ut when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful

17 U ntil I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.

18 Y ou do set the in slippery places; You cast them down to ruin and destruction.

19 H ow they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors!

20 A s a dream until one awakens, so, O Lord, when You arouse Yourself, You will despise their outward show.

21 F or my heart was grieved, embittered, and in a state of ferment, and I was pricked in my heart.

22 S o foolish, stupid, and brutish was I, and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.

23 N evertheless I am continually with You; You do hold my right hand.

24 Y ou will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory.

25 W hom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.

26 M y flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.

27 F or behold, those who are far from You shall perish; You will destroy all who are false to You and like harlots depart from You.

28 B ut it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.