Read the Bible

¹ BOOK III 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 bands in their death: but their strength is firm.⁵ They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.⁶ Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment.⁷ Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.⁸ They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: they speak loftily.⁹ They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.¹⁰ Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out by them.¹¹ And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?¹² Behold, these are the wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.¹³ Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;¹⁴ For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

¹⁵ If I had said, I will speak thus; behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.¹⁶ When I thought how I might know this, it was too painful for me;¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.¹⁸ Surely thou settest them in slippery places: thou castest them down to destruction.¹⁹ How are they become a desolation in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.²⁰ As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

²¹ For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins:²² So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee.²³ Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand.²⁴ Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.²⁶ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.²⁷ For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.