Only Version ❧ CM · 8·6·8·6
A Psalm of Asaph.
1 Truly to Isr’el God is good; to men of a clean heart. 2 But my feet almost slipp’d, my steps aside did well nigh start. 3 For I was env’ous at the fools, in peace to see the ill. 4 For in their death no bands there are, but firm their strength is still.
5 Like other mean men they are not in toilsome misery, nor are they stricken with like plagues as other mortals be. 6 Therefore doth pride like to a chain encompass them about, and like a garment; violence doth cover them throughout.
7 Within the fatness which they have extended are their eyes: greater prosperity they have than their hearts can devise. 8 Corrupt they are, and wickedly speak guile: proudly they talk. 9 Against the heav’ns they set their mouth; their tongue through th’ earth doth walk.
10 Therefore his people unto them have hither turned in, and waters out of a full cup wrung out to them have been. 11 And they have said, how can it be that God this thing should know, and is there in the highest one knowledge hereof also?
12 Lo, these are the ungodly ones who have tranquillity: within the world they do increase in rich ability. 13 Surely in vain in purity cleansed my heart have I. 14 And hands in innocence have wash’d, for plagu’d am I daily:
and every morning chastened. 15 If I think thus to say, thy children’s generation lo then I should betray. 16 And when this point to understand casting I did devise, the matter too laborious appeared in mine eyes.
17 Until unto the sanctuary of God I went, and then I prudently did understand the last end of these men. 18 Surely in places slippery these men thou placed hast: and into desolations thou dost them downward cast.
19 As in a moment, how are they brought to destruction! how are they utterly consum’d with sad confusion. 20 Like to a dream when as a man awaking doth arise, so thou, O God, when thou awak’st their image shalt despise.
21 My heart thus was leaven’d with grief, prick’d were my reins by me. 22 So foolish was I, and knew not, like a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless continually before thee I do stand: thou hast upheld me stedfastly also by my right hand.
24 Thou with thy prudent counsel shalt guidance unto me give: up afterward also thou shalt to glory me receive. 25 In heav’n above but thee alone who is it that I have? and there is nothing upon earth besides thee that I crave.
26 This flesh of mine, my heart also doth fail me altogether: but God the strength is of my heart, and portion mine for ever. 27 For lo, they that are far from thee utterly perish shall: those who a whoring go from thee thou hast destroyed all.
28 But as for me, for me it’s good near God for to repair: in God the Lord I put my trust, all thy works to declare.