^[1]  Surely God is good to Israel, Evento such as are pure in heart.

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^[2]  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.

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^[3]  For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

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^[4]  For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.

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^[5]  They are not in trouble asothermen; Neither are they plagued likeothermen.

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^[6]  Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.

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^[7]  Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.

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^[8]  They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.

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^[9]  They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.

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^[10]  Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a fullcupare drained by them.

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^[11]  And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?

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^[12]  Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

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^[13]  Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;

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^[14]  For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning.

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^[15]  If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

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^[16]  When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;

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^[17]  Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

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^[18]  Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

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^[19]  How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

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^[20]  As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

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^[21]  For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:

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^[22]  So brutish was I, and ignorant; I wasasa beast before thee.

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^[23]  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.

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^[24]  Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

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^[25]  Whom have I in heavenbut thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

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^[26]  My flesh and my heart faileth; ButGod is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

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^[27]  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, departing from thee.

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^[28]  But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.

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