[1] A psalm for Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to them that are of a right heart! [2] But my feet were almost moved; my steps had well nigh slipped. [3] Because I had a zeal on occasion of the wicked, seeing the prosperity of sinners. [4] For there is no regard to their death, nor is there strength in their stripes. [5] They are not in the labour of men: neither shall they be scourged like other men.
[6] Therefore pride hath held them fast: they are covered with their iniquity and their wickedness. [7] Their iniquity hath come forth, as it were from fatness: they have passed into the affection of the heart. [8] They have thought and spoken wickedness: they have spoken iniquity on high. [9] They have set their mouth against heaven: and their tongue hath passed through the earth. [10] Therefore will my people return here and full days shall be found in them.
[11] And they said: How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? [12] Behold these are sinners; and yet abounding in the world they have obtained riches. [13] And I said: Then have I in vain justified my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent. [14] And I have been scourged all the day; and my chastisement hath been in the mornings. [15] If I said: I will speak thus; behold I should condemn the generation of thy children.
[16] I studied that I might know this thing, it is a labour in my sight: [17] Until I go into the sanctuary of God, and understand concerning their last ends. [18] But indeed for deceits thou hast put it to them: when they were lifted up thou hast cast them down. [19] How are they brought to desolation? they have suddenly ceased to be: they have perished by reason of their iniquity. [20] As the dream of them that awake, O Lord; so in thy city thou shalt bring their image to nothing.
[21] For my heart hath been inflamed, and my reins have been changed: [22] And I am brought to nothing, and I knew not. [23] I am become as a beast before thee: and I am always with thee. [24] Thou hast held me by my right hand; and by thy will thou hast conducted me, and with thy glory thou hast received me. [25] For what have I in heaven? and besides thee what do I desire upon earth?
[26] For thee my flesh and my heart hath fainted away: thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion for ever. [27] For behold they that go far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that are disloyal to thee. [28] But it is good for me to adhere to my God, to put my hope in the Lord God: That I may declare all thy praises, in the gates of the daughter of Sion.