✧A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. ✧2But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. ✧3For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ✧4For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. ✧5They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men. ✧6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. ✧7Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit. ✧8They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression. ✧9They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth. ✧10Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance. ✧11They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” ✧12Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. ✧13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence, ✧14For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning. ✧15If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. ✧16When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me— ✧17until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end. ✧18Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction. ✧19How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors. ✧20As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies. ✧21For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart. ✧22I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you. ✧23Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. ✧24You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ✧25Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. ✧26My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ✧27For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. ✧28But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.