1 Surely God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.
2 As for me, my feet had all but strayed; my steps had almost slid away.
3 For I envied the arrogant as I saw the peace of the wicked.
4 For there are no torments in their death; their body is well fed.
5 They do not share in the toil of mortals, nor are they struck like the rest of men.
6 So pride is the chain around their neck; a garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eye bulges with fat; the fancies of their heart run over.
8 They scoff and speak in wickedness of oppression; from on high they speak.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.
10 So his people turn back to this place, and they drink up waters in full measure.
11 And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?"
12 See, such are the wicked: ever at ease, they pile up wealth.
13 Surely for nothing have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For I have been struck all day long, and my rebuke comes every morning.
15 Had I said, "I will talk this way," I would have been false to the generation of your sons.
16 When I tried to understand this, it seemed wearisome in my eyes,
17 until I came into God's holy places; then I discerned their end.
18 Surely you put them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruins.
19 How they are made desolate in an instant! They are finished, brought to an end by terrors.
20 As a dream after waking, O Lord, so when you rouse yourself you will scorn their image.
21 For my heart was soured, and I was stabbed in my inmost being;
22 I was senseless and without knowledge; I was a beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you have taken hold of my right hand.
24 By your counsel you will lead me, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in the heavens? And with you, there is nothing on earth I desire.
26 My flesh and my heart may waste away, but God is the rock of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For see, those far from you will perish; you put an end to everyone who strays from you like a harlot.
28 But for me it is good to draw near to God; I have made the Lord GOD my shelter, to tell of all your works.