1 Yet God is good to Israel,to each pure-hearted one.
2 But as for me, my steps near slipp'd,my feet were almost gone.
3 For I envious was, and grudg'dthe foolish folk to see,When I perceiv'd the wicked sortenjoy prosperity.
4 For still their strength continueth firm;their death of bands is free.
5 They are not toil'd like other men,nor plagu'd, as others be.
6 Therefore their pride, like to a chain,them compasseth about;And, as a garment, violencedoth cover them throughout.
7 Their eyes stand out with fat; they havemore than their hearts could wish.
8 They are corrupt; their talk of wrongboth lewd and lofty is.
9 They set their mouth against the heav'nsin their blasphemous talk;And their reproaching tongue throughoutthe earth at large doth walk.
10 His people oftentimes for thislook back, and turn about;Sith waters of so full a cupto these are poured out.
11 And thus they say, How can it bethat God these things doth know?Or, Can there in the Highest beknowledge of things below?
12 Behold, these are the wicked ones,yet prosper at their willIn worldly things; they do increasein wealth and riches still.
13 I verily have done in vainmy heart to purify;To no effect in innocencewashed my hands have I.
14 For daily, and all day throughout,great plagues I suffer'd have;Yea, ev'ry morning I of newdid chastisement receive.
15 If in this manner foolishlyto speak I would intend,Thy children's generation,behold, I should offend.
16 When I this thought to know, it wastoo hard a thing for me;
17 Till to God's sanctuary I went,then I their end did see.
18 Assuredly thou didst them seta slipp'ry place upon;Them suddenly thou castedst downinto destruction.
19 How in a moment suddenlyto ruin brought are they!With fearful terrors utterlythey are consum'd away.
20 Ev'n like unto a dream, when onefrom sleeping doth arise;So thou, O Lord, when thou awak'st,their image shalt despise.
21 Thus grieved was my heart in me,and me my reins opprest:
22 So rude was I, and ignorant,and in thy sight a beast.
23 Nevertheless continually,O Lord, I am with thee:Thou dost me hold by my right hand,and still upholdest me.
24 Thou, with thy counsel, while I live,wilt me conduct and guide;And to thy glory afterwardreceive me to abide.
25 Whom have I in the heavens highbut thee, O Lord, alone?And in the earth whom I desirebesides thee there is none.
26 My flesh and heart doth faint and fail,but God doth fail me never:For of my heart God is the strengthand portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from theefor ever perish shall;Them that a whoring from thee gothou hast destroyed all.