731 Surely God is good to Israel , To those who are pure in heart ! 2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling , My steps had almost slipped . 3 For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked . 4 For there are no pains in their death , And their body is fat . 5 They are not in trouble as other men , Nor are they plagued like mankind . 6 Therefore pride is their necklace ; The garment of violence covers them. 7 Their eye bulges from fatness ; The imaginations of their heart run riot . 8 They mock and wickedly speak of oppression ; They speak from on high . 9 They have set their mouth against the heavens , And their tongue parades through the earth . 10 Therefore his people return to this place , And waters of abundance are drunk by them. 11 They say , " How does God know ? And is there knowledge with the Most High ?" 12 Behold , these are the wicked ; And always at ease , they have increased in wealth . 13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence ; 14 For I have been stricken all day long And chastened every morning .
15 If I had said , "I will speak thus ," Behold , I would have betrayed the generation of Your children . 16 When I pondered to understand this , It was troublesome in my sight 17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God ; Then I perceived their end . 18 Surely You set them in slippery places ; You cast them down to destruction . 19 How they are destroyed in a moment ! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors ! 20 Like a dream when one awakes , O Lord , when aroused , You will despise their form .
21 When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within , 22 Then I was senseless and ignorant e ; I was like a beast before You. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand . 24 With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory . 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth . 26 My flesh and my heart may fail , But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever . 27 For, behold , those who are far from You will perish ; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. 28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good ; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge , That I may tell of all Your works .
