¹ BOOK III A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are pure in heart. ² But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. ³ For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. ⁵ They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. ⁶ Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covereth them as a garment. ⁷ Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. ⁸ They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: they speak loftily. ⁹ They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. ¹⁰ Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out by them. ¹¹ And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High? ¹² Behold, these are the wicked; and, being alway at ease, they increase in riches. ¹³ Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency; ¹⁴ For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. ¹⁵ If I had said, I will speak thus; behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children. ¹⁶ When I thought how I might know this, it was too painful for me; ¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end. ¹⁸ Surely thou settest them in slippery places: thou castest them down to destruction. ¹⁹ How are they become a desolation in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. ²⁰ As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. ²¹ For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins: ²² So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee. ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden my right hand. ²⁴ Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. ²⁷ For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. ²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.