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[1] A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart.
[2] But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
[3] For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
[4] For there are no pangs at their death, and their body is sound.
[5] In the trouble of man they are not; neither are they plagued like men.
[6] Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.
[7] Their eyes stand forth from fatness; they are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.
[8] They scoff, and in wickedness u oppression; they speak as if there were none on high.
[9] They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
[10] Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
[11] And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'
[12] Behold, such are the wicked; and they that are always at ease increase riches.
[13] Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
[14] For all the day have I been plagued, and my chastisement came every morning.
[15] If I had said: 'I will speak thus', behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.
[16] And when I pondered how I might know this, it was wearisome in mine eyes;
[17] Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, and considered their end.
[18] Surely Thou settest them in slippery places; Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.
[19] How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are wh consumed by terrors.
[20] As a dream when one awaketh, so, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.
[21] For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
[22] But I was brutish, and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
[23] Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou holdest my right hand.
[24] Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me with glory.
[25] Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.
[26] My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.
[27] For, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish; Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.
[28] But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord 𐤉𐤇𐤅𐤇 my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works.
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