1 T ruly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

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

3 F or I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 F or there are no bands in 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 pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7 T heir eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8 T hey are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9 T hey set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 T herefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

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

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

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

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

15 I f I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16 W hen I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

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

18 S urely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19 H ow are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 A s a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21 T hus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22 S o foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23 N evertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 T hou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 W hom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 M y flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 F or, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 B ut it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.