¹ 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 near 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 plagued like other men. ⁶ Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain violence covers 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 walks through the earth. ¹⁰ Therefore his people return here: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. ¹¹ And they say, How does God know ? and is there knowledge in the most High? ¹² See, 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 innocency. ¹⁴ For all the day long I have been plagued, and disciplined every morning. ¹⁵ If I say, I will speak so; see, I should offend against the generation of your children. ¹⁶ When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; ¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God then understood I their end. ¹⁸ Surely you did set them in slippery places: you casted 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 wakes; so, O Lord, when you awake, you will despise their image. ²¹ So my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my innards. ²² So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before you. ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with you: you have held me by my right hand. ²⁴ you will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵ Who have I in heaven but you? and there is none on earth that I desire beside you. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. ²⁷ For, lo, those are far from you will perish: you have destroyed all them that go a whoring from you. 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 your works.