1 - ?BOOK III: Psalms 73?89?
?A psalm of Asaph.?
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 - But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 - For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 - They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 - They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
6 - Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7 - From their callous hearts comes iniquity
8 - They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 - Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 - Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
11 - They say, "How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?"
12 - This is what the wicked are like - always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13 - Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
14 - All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
15 - If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
16 - When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
17 - till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18 - Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19 - How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
20 - They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21 - When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22 - I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23 - Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24 - You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 - Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 - My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 - Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 - But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.