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1Yet God is good to Israel,
to each pure-hearted one.
2But as for me, my steps near slipp'd,
my feet were almost gone.
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3For I envious was, and grudg'd
the foolish folk to see,
When
I perceiv'd the wicked sort
enjoy prosperity.
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4For still their strength continueth firm;
their death of bands is free.
5They are not toil'd like other men,
nor plagu'd, as others be.
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6Therefore their pride, like to a chain,
them compasseth about;
And,
as a garment, violence
doth cover them throughout.
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7Their eyes stand out with fat; they have
more than their hearts could wish.
8They are corrupt; their talk of wrong
both lewd and lofty is.
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9They set their mouth against the heav'ns
in their blasphemous talk;
And
their reproaching tongue throughout
the earth at large doth walk.
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10His people oftentimes for this
look back, and turn about;
Sith
waters of so full a cup
to these are poured out.
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11And thus they say, How can it be
that God these things doth know?
Or,
Can there in the Highest be
knowledge of things below?
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12Behold, these are the wicked ones,
yet prosper at their will
In
worldly things; they do increase
in wealth and riches still.
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13I verily have done in vain
my heart to purify;
To
no effect in innocence
washed my hands have I.
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14For daily, and all day throughout,
great plagues I suffer'd have;
Yea,
ev'ry morning I of new
did chastisement receive.
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15If in this manner foolishly
to speak I would intend,
Thy
children's generation,
behold, I should offend.
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16When I this thought to know, it was
too hard a thing for me;
17Till to God's sanctuary I went,
then I their end did see.
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18Assuredly thou didst them set
a slipp'ry place upon;
Them
suddenly thou castedst down
into destruction.
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19How in a moment suddenly
to ruin brought are they!
With
fearful terrors utterly
they are consum'd away.
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20Ev'n like unto a dream, when one
from sleeping doth arise;
So
thou, O Lord, when thou awak'st,
their image shalt despise.
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21Thus grieved was my heart in me,
and me my reins opprest:
22So rude was I, and ignorant,
and in thy sight a beast.
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23Nevertheless continually,
O Lord, I am with thee:
Thou
dost me hold by my right hand,
and still upholdest me.
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24Thou, with thy counsel, while I live,
wilt me conduct and guide;
And
to thy glory afterward
receive me to abide.
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25Whom have I in the heavens high
but thee, O Lord, alone?
And
in the earth whom I desire
besides thee there is none.
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26My flesh and heart doth faint and fail,
but God doth fail me never:
For
of my heart God is the strength
and portion for ever.
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27For, lo, they that are far from thee
for ever perish shall;
Them
that a whoring from thee go
thou hast destroyed all.
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28But surely it is good for me
that I draw near to God:
In
God I trust, that all thy works
I may declare abroad.
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