1 A psalm of Asaf: How good God is to
Isra'el, to those who are pure in heart!
2 But as for me, I lost my balance, my
feet nearly slipped,
3 when I grew envious of the arrogant
and saw how the wicked prosper.
4 For when their death comes, it is
painless; and meanwhile, their bodies are healthy;
5 they don't have ordinary people's
troubles, they aren't plagued like others.
6 So for them, pride is a necklace; and
violence clothes them like a robe.
7 Their eyes peep out through folds of
fat; evil thoughts overflow from their hearts.
8 They scoff and speak with malice,
they loftily utter threats.
9 They set their mouths against heaven;
their tongues swagger through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here and
[thoughtlessly] suck up that whole cup of water.
11 Then they ask, "How does God
know? Does the Most High really have knowledge?"
12 Yes, this is what the wicked are
like; those free of misfortune keep increasing their wealth.
13 It's all for nothing that I've kept
my heart clean and washed my hands, staying free of guilt;
14 for all day long I am plagued; my
punishment comes every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will talk
like them,"I would have betrayed a generation of your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this,
I found it too hard for me -
17 until I went into the sanctuaries of
God and grasped what their destiny would be.
18 Indeed, you place them on a slippery
slope and make them fall to their ruin.
19 How suddenly they are destroyed,
swept away by terrors!
20 They are like a dream when one
awakens; Adonai, when you rouse yourself, you will despise their phantoms.
21 When I had a sour attitude and felt
stung by pained emotions,
22 I was too stupid to understand; I
was like a brute beast with you.
23 Nevertheless, I am always with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You will guide me with your advice;
and afterwards, you will receive me with honor.
25 Whom do I have in heaven but you?
And with you, I lack nothing on earth.
26 My mind and body may fail; but God
is the rock for my mind and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will
perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you.
28 But for me, the nearness of God is
my good; I have made Adonai ELOHIM my refuge, so that I can tell of all your
works.
