| 1 | A Psalm of Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to those who are upright in heart. |
| 2 | But my feet were nearly moved; my steps had nearly slipped. |
| 3 | For I was zealous over the iniquitous, seeing the peacefulness of sinners. |
| 4 | For they have no respect for their death, nor do they have support in their wounds. |
| 5 | They are not with the hardships of men, nor will they be scourged with men. |
| 6 | Therefore, arrogance has held on to them. They have been covered with their iniquity and impiety. |
| 7 | Their iniquity has proceeded, as if from fat. They have parted from the affection of the heart. |
| 8 | They have thought and spoken wickedness. They have spoken iniquity in high places. |
| 9 | They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has traversed the earth. |
| 10 | Therefore, my people will be converted here, and fullness of days will be found in them. |
| 11 | And they said, "How would God know?" and, "Isn't there knowledge in high places?" |
| 12 | Behold, these are sinners, and, abounding in this age, they have obtained riches. |
| 13 | And I said: So then, it is without purpose that I have justified my heart and washed my hands among the innocent. |
| 14 | And I have been scourged all day long, and I have received my chastisement in the mornings. |
| 15 | If I were to say that I would explain this: Behold, I would condemn this nation of your sons. |
| 16 | I considered, so that I might know this. It is a hardship before me, |
| 17 | until I may enter into the Sanctuary of God, and understand it to its last part. |
| 18 | So, because of deceitfulness, truly, you have placed it before them. While they were being lifted up, you were casting them down. |
| 19 | How have they been brought to desolation? They have suddenly failed. They have perished because of their iniquity. |
| 20 | As a dream is to those who awaken, O Lord, so will you reduce their image to nothing in your city. |
| 21 | For my heart has been inflamed, and my temperament has been changed. |
| 22 | And so, I have been reduced to nothing, and I did not know it. |
| 23 | I have become like a beast of burden to you, and I am always with you. |
| 24 | You have held my right hand. And in your will, you have conducted me, and with your glory, you have taken me up. |
| 25 | For what is there for me in heaven? And what do I wish for on earth before you? |
| 26 | My body has failed, and my heart: O God of my heart, and God my portion, into eternity. |
| 27 | For behold, those who put themselves far from you will perish. You have perished all those who fornicate away from you. |
| 28 | But it is good for me to adhere to God, to put my hope in the Lord God, so that I may announce all your prophecies, at the gates of the daughter of Zion. |
