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¹ A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.² But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.³ For I was envious at the foolish, [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 afflicted like [other] men.⁶ Therefore pride encompasseth them as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.⁷ Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.⁸ They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.¹⁰ Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.¹¹ And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?¹² Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.¹³ Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocence.¹⁴ For all the day long have I been afflicted, and chastened every morning.

¹⁵ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.¹⁶ When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] I understood their end.¹⁸ Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast them down into destruction.¹⁹ How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.²⁰ As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

²¹ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.²² So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.²³ Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast held [me] by my right hand.²⁴ Thou wilt 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 besides 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 astray from thee.²⁸ But [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.