1A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to the pure of heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost turned aside; my steps were poured out like nothing.
3For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the peace of the wicked.
4For there are no pangs at their death, and their belly is fat.
5In the trouble of mortal man they have no part, and with man (adam) they are not plagued.
6Therefore pride encircles them like a necklace; violence covers them as a garment.
7Their eyes bulge out from fatness; the imaginations of the heart overflow.
8They mock and speak with evil of oppression; from on high they speak.
9They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walks in the earth.
10Therefore his people return here, and waters of fullness are drained out by them.
11And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High (Elyon)?"
12Behold, these are the wicked, and ever at ease they increase wealth.
13Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocence.
14And I have been plagued all the day, and my chastisement every morning.
15If I had said, "I will recount it thus," behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16And I thought to know this; it was trouble in my eyes,
17until I came to the sanctuaries of God; I understood their end.
18Surely in slippery places you set them; you make them fall to ruins.
19How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are swept away, consumed by terrors.
20As a dream when one awakes, O my Lord (Adonai), when you rouse yourself, you will despise their image.
21For my heart was soured, and in my kidneys I was pricked.
22And I was brutish and did not know; like beasts I was with you.
23Yet I am continually with you; you have held my right hand.
24With your counsel you will guide me, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25Whom do I have in the heavens? And beside you I desire nothing on the earth.
26My flesh and my heart fail; the rock of my heart and my portion is God forever.
27For behold, those far from you will perish; you destroy all who go whoring away from you.
28But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me; I have set my refuge in my Lord (Adonai) YHWH, to recount all your works.