1 A Psalme of Asaph. Truely God is good to Israel, euen to such as are of a cleane heart.
2 But as for mee, my feete were almost gone: my steps had well-nigh slipt.
3 For I was enuious at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firme.
5 They are not in trouble as other men: neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chaine: violence couereth them as a garment.
7 Their eies stand out with fatnes: they haue more then heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speake wickedly concerning oppression: they speake loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heauens; and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people returne hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the vngodly: who prosper in the world, they increase in riches.
13 Uerily I haue cleansed my heart in vaine, and washed my hands in innocencie.
14 For all the day long haue I bene plagued, and chastened euery morning.
15 If I say, I will speake thus: behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painfull for me,
17 Untill I went into the Sanctuarie of God; then vnderstood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them downe into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation as in a moment? they are vtterly consumed with terrours.
20 As a dreame when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was greeued, and I was pricked in my reines.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Neuerthelesse I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell; and afterward receiue me to glory.
25 Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for euer.
27 For loe, they that are farre from thee, shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that goe awhoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me, to drawe neere to God: I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I maydeclare all thy workes.