^{1 Ref} Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean in heart.

^{2 Ref} But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;

^{3 Ref} Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.

^{4 Ref} For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.

^{5 Ref} They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.

^{6 Ref} For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.

^{7 Ref} Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.

^{8 Ref} Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.

^{9 Ref} Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.

^{10 Ref} For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.

^{11 Ref} And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?

^{12 Ref} Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.

^{13 Ref} As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;

^{14 Ref} For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.

^{15 Ref} If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.

^{16 Ref} When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;

^{17 Ref} Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.

^{18 Ref} You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.

^{19 Ref} How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.

^{20 Ref} As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.

^{21 Ref} My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:

^{22 Ref} As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.

^{23 Ref} But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.

^{24 Ref} Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.

^{25 Ref} Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.

^{26 Ref} My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.

^{27 Ref} For those who are far away from you will come to destruction: you will put an end to all those who have not kept faith with you.

^{28 Ref} But it is good for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.

^{1 Ref} Surely God is good to Israel, `Even' to such as are pure in heart.

^{2 Ref} But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.

^{3 Ref} For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

^{4 Ref} For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.

^{5 Ref} They are not in trouble as `other' men; Neither are they plagued like `other' men.

^{6 Ref} Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.

^{7 Ref} Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.

^{8 Ref} They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.

^{9 Ref} They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.

^{10 Ref} Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full `cup' are drained by them.

^{11 Ref} And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?

^{12 Ref} Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

^{13 Ref} Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;

^{14 Ref} For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning.

^{15 Ref} If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

^{16 Ref} When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;

^{17 Ref} Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

^{18 Ref} Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

^{19 Ref} How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

^{20 Ref} As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

^{21 Ref} For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:

^{22 Ref} So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was `as' a beast before thee.

^{23 Ref} Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.

^{24 Ref} Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

^{25 Ref} Whom have I in heaven `but thee'? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

^{26 Ref} My flesh and my heart faileth; `But' God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

^{27 Ref} For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, `departing' from thee.

^{28 Ref} But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works. Psalm 74 Maschil of Asaph.