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¹ A Psalm of Asaph. 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 utter 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 wholly 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; {P}