1«A Psalm of Asaph.» Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart. 2As for me, my feete were almost gone: my steps had welneere slipt. 3For I feared at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperitie of the wicked. 4For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm. 5They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued with other men. 6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment. 7Their eyes stande out for fatnesse: they haue more then heart can wish. 8They are licentious, and speake wickedly of their oppression: they talke presumptuously. 9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them. 11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches. 13Certainely I haue clensed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie. 14For dayly haue I bene punished, and chastened euery morning. 15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children. 16Then thought I to know this, but it was too painefull for me, 17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end. 18Surely thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest them downe into desolation. 19How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 21Certainely mine heart was vexed, and I was pricked in my reines: 22So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee. 23Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand. 24Thou wilt guide me by thy counsell, and afterward receiue me to glory. 25Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee. 26My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.