1 ¶ Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart.

2 B ut as for me, my feet almost departed from the way; my steps had almost slipped.

3 F or I became angry against the foolish when I saw the peace of the wicked.

4 B ecause there is no restraint that would bring about their death, but their strength is firm.

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

6 T herefore they are crowned with pride; they cover themselves with violence as a garment.

7 T heir eyes stand out with fatness; they easily obtain the desires of their heart.

8 T hey are lawless and speak wickedly of doing violence; they speak loftily.

9 T hey set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue walks through the earth.

10 T herefore his people shall return here; and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11 A nd they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12 B ehold, these ungodly men, without being troubled by the world obtain riches.

13 V erily, in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency

14 a nd been plagued all day long and chastened every morning:

15 ¶ If I should say, I will speak as they do; behold, I should deny the generation of thy sons.

16 I shall meditate that I might understand this; it is very hard for me to see.

17 W hen I come into the sanctuary of God, then I shall understand their end.

18 S urely thou didst set them in slippery places; in desolation thou shalt cause them to fall.

19 H ow they are brought into desolation, as in a moment! They have come to an end; they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 A s the dream of one who awakes; so, O Lord, when thou shalt rise up, thou shalt despise their appearances.

21 ¶ Truly my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my kidneys.

22 B ut I was ignorant and did not understand; I was as a beast before thee.

23 N evertheless I was continually with thee; thou hast apprehended me by my right hand.

24 T hou hast guided me with thy counsel, and afterward thou shalt receive me unto glory.

25 W hom have I in heaven but thee? And apart from thee there is nothing upon the earth that I desire.

26 M y flesh and my heart fail; the strength of my heart is that God is my portion for ever.

27 F or, behold, those that stray from thee shall perish; thou dost cut off all those that go a whoring from thee.

28 B ut as for me, to draw near to God is good; I have put my hope in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.