[1] Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are have a pure heart. [2] But me? My feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped [3] because I envied the arrogant; I observed how the wicked are well off: [4] They suffer no pain; their bodies are fit and strong. [5] They are never in trouble; they aren’t weighed down like other people. [6] That’s why they wear arrogance like a necklace, why violence covers them like clothes. [7] Their eyes bulge out from eating so well; their hearts overflow with delusions. [8] They scoff and talk so cruel; from their privileged positions they plan oppression. [9] Their mouths dare to speak against heaven! Their tongues roam the earth! [10] That’s why people keep going back to them, keep approving what they say. [11] And what they say is this: “How could God possibly know! Does the Most High know anything at all!” [12] Look at these wicked ones, always relaxed, piling up the wealth! [13] Meanwhile, I’ve kept my heart pure for no good reason; I’ve washed my hands to stay innocent for nothing. [14] I’m weighed down all day long. I’m punished every morning. [15] If I said, “I will talk about all this,” I would have been unfaithful to your children. [16] But when I tried to understand these things, it just seemed like hard work [17] until I entered God’s sanctuary and understood what would happen to the wicked. [18] You will definitely put them on a slippery path; you will make them fall into ruin! [19] How quickly they are devastated, utterly destroyed by terrors! [20] As quickly as a dream departs from someone waking up, my Lord, when you are stirred up, you make them disappear. [21] When my heart was bitter, when I was all cut up inside, [22] I was stupid and ignorant. I acted like nothing but an animal toward you. [23] But I was still always with you! You held my strong hand! [24] You have guided me with your advice; later you will receive me with glory. [25] Do I have anyone else in heaven? There’s nothing on earth I desire except you. [26] My body and my heart fail, but God is my heart’s rock and my share forever. [27] Look! Those far from you die; you annihilate all those who are unfaithful to you. [28] But me? It’s good for me to be near God. I have taken my refuge in you, my LORD God, so I can talk all about your works!
