^{1 Ref} > Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart.

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

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

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

^{5 Ref} They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men.

^{6 Ref} Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.

^{7 Ref} Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.

^{8 Ref} They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

^{9 Ref} They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.

^{10 Ref} Therefore their people return to them, And they drink up waters of abundance.

^{11 Ref} They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"

^{12 Ref} Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

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

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

^{15 Ref} If I had said, "I will speak thus;" Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

^{16 Ref} When I tried to understand this, It was too painful for me;

^{17 Ref} Until I entered God's sanctuary, And considered their latter end.

^{18 Ref} Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.

^{19 Ref} How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.

^{20 Ref} As a dream when one wakes up, So, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

^{21 Ref} For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.

^{22 Ref} I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

^{23 Ref} Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.

^{24 Ref} You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

^{25 Ref} Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.

^{26 Ref} My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

^{27 Ref} For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

^{28 Ref} But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, That I may tell of all your 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.