New American Standard Bible | ►► |
The End of the Wicked Contrasted with That of the Righteous.
A Psalm of Asaph.
1God certainly is good to Israel,To those who are pure in heart!2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,My steps[a]had almost slipped.3For I was envious of the[b]arrogantAs I saw the prosperity of the wicked.4For there are no pains in their death,And their belly is fat.5They are not[c]in trouble like other people,Nor are they tormented together withthe rest of mankind.6Therefore arrogance is their necklace;The garment of violence covers them.7Their eye[d]bulges from fatness;The imaginations oftheir heart overflow.8They mock and[e]wickedly speak of oppression;They speak from on high.9They have set their mouth[f]against the heavens,And their tongue[g]parades through the earth.10Therefore[h]his people return here,And abundant waters are drunk by them.11They say, “How does God know?And is there knowledge[i]with the Most High?”12Behold, these are the wicked;And always at ease, they have increasedin wealth.13Surely in vain I have[j]kept my heart pureAnd washed my hands in innocence;14For I have been stricken all day long,And[k]punished every morning.15If I had said, “I will speak this way,”Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.16When I thought of understanding this,It was[l]troublesome in my sight17Until I entered the[m]sanctuary of God;Then I perceived their end.18You indeed put them on slippery ground;You dropped them into[n]ruin.19How they are[o]destroyed in a moment!They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!20Like a dream when one awakes,Lord, when stirred, You will despise their image.21When my heart was embitteredAnd I was pierced[p]within,22Then I was stupid and ignorant;I waslike an animal[q]before You.23Nevertheless I am continually with You;You have taken hold of my right hand.24You will guide me with Your plan,