1BOOK III. A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, [Even] to such as are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well near slipped. 3For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm. 5They are not in trouble as common man; Neither are they plagued like man. 6Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covers them as a garment. 7Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish. 8They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily. 9They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. 10Therefore his people return here: And waters of a full [cup] are drained by them. 11And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? 12Look, these are the wicked; And, being always at ease, they increase in riches. 13Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence; 14For all the day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. 15If I had said, I will speak thus; Look, I would have betrayed the generation of your sons. 16When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me; 17Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end. 18Surely you set them in slippery places: You cast them down to destruction. 19How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are completely consumed with terrors. 20As a dream when one awakes, So, O Lord, when you awake, you will despise their image. 21For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart: 22So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was [as] a beast before you. 23Nevertheless I am continually with you: You have held my right hand. 24You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 25Whom have I in heaven [but you] And there is none on earth that I desire besides you. 26My flesh and my heart fails; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27For, look, those who are far from you will perish: You have destroyed all those prostituting from you. 28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have made the Sovereign Yahweh my refuge, That I may tell of all your works.