1 A Psalme committed to Asaph. Yet God is good to Israel: euen, to the pure in heart. 2 As for me, my feete were almost gone: my steps had well neere slipt. 3 For I feared at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperitie of the wicked. 4 For there are no bandes in their death, but they are lustie and strong. 5 They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued with other men. 6 Therefore pride is as a chayne vnto them, and crueltie couereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stande out for fatnesse: they haue more then heart can wish. 8 They are licentious, and speake wickedly of their oppression: they talke presumptuously. 9 They set their mouth against heauen, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people turne hither: for waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11 And they say, Howe doeth God know it? or is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches. 13 Certainely I haue clensed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie. 14 For dayly haue I bene punished, and chastened euery morning. 15 If I say, I will iudge thus, beholde the generation of thy children: I haue trespassed. 16 Then thought I to know this, but it was too painefull for me, 17 Vntill I went into the Sanctuarie of God: then vnderstoode I their ende. 18 Surely thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest them downe into desolation. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, perished and horribly consumed, 20 As a dreame when one awaketh! O Lord, when thou raisest vs vp, thou shalt make their image despised. 21 Certainely mine heart was vexed, and I was pricked in my reines: 22 So foolish was I and ignorant: I was a beast before thee. 23 Yet I was alway with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou wilt guide me by thy counsell, and afterward receiue me to glory. 25 Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and I haue desired none in the earth with thee. 26 My flesh fayleth and mine heart also: but God is the strength of mine heart, and my portion for euer. 27 For loe, they that withdrawe themselues from thee, shall perish: thou destroyest all them that goe a whoring from thee. 28 As for me, it is good for me to draw neere to God: therefore I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy workes.
BOOK THREE
(Psalms 73–89)
The Justice of God
1 God is indeed good to Israel,
to those who have pure hearts.
2 But I had nearly lost confidence;
my faith was almost gone
3 because I was jealous of the proud
when I saw that things go well for the wicked.
4 They do not suffer pain;
they are strong and healthy.
5 They do not suffer as other people do;
they do not have the troubles that others have.
6 And so they wear pride like a necklace
and violence like a robe;
7 their hearts pour out evil,
and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
8 They laugh at other people and speak of evil things;
they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
9 They speak evil of God in heaven
and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
10 so that even God's people turn to them
and eagerly believe whatever they say.
11 They say, “God will not know;
the Most High will not find out.”
12 That is what the wicked are like.
They have plenty and are always getting more.
13 Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure
and have not committed sin?
14 O God, you have made me suffer all day long;
every morning you have punished me.
15 If I had said such things,
I would not be acting as one of your people.
16 I tried to think this problem through,
but it was too difficult for me
17 until I went into your Temple.
Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.
18 You will put them in slippery places
and make them fall to destruction!
19 They are instantly destroyed;
they go down to a horrible end.
20 They are like a dream that goes away in the morning;
when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.
21 When my thoughts were bitter
and my feelings were hurt,
22 I was as stupid as an animal;
I did not understand you.
23 Yet I always stay close to you,
and you hold me by the hand.
24 You guide me with your instruction
and at the end you will receive me with honor.
25 What else do I have in heaven but you?
Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?
26 My mind and my body may grow weak,
but God is my strength;
he is all I ever need.
27 Those who abandon you will certainly perish;
you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, how wonderful to be near God,
to find protection with the Sovereign Lord
and to proclaim all that he has done!