1Truely God is good to Israel, euen to such as are of a cleane heart.2But as for mee, my feete were almost gone: my steps had well-nigh slipt.3For I was enuious at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperity of the wicked.4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firme.5They are not in trouble as other men: neither are they plagued like other men.6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chaine: violence couereth them as a garment.7Their eies stand out with fatnes: they haue more then heart could wish.8They are corrupt, and speake wickedly concerning oppression: they speake loftily.9They set their mouth against the heauens; and their tongue walketh through the earth.10Therefore his people returne 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?12Behold, these are the vngodly: who prosper in the world, they increase in riches.13Uerily I haue cleansed my heart in vaine, and washed my hands in innocencie.14For all the day long haue I bene plagued, and chastened euery morning.15If I say, I will speake thus: behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.16When I thought to know this, it was too painfull for me,17Untill I went into the Sanctuarie of God; then vnderstood I their end.18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them downe into destruction.19How are they brought into desolation as in a moment? they are vtterly consumed with terrours.20As a dreame when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image.21Thus my heart was greeued, and I was pricked in my reines.22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.23Neuerthelesse I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell; and afterward receiue me to glory.25Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee.26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for euer.27For loe, they that are farre from thee, shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that goe awhoring from thee.28But it is good for me, to drawe neere to God: I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I maydeclare all thy workes.
