¹ Surely God is good to Israel, to the pure in heart.
² But as for me, my feet almost slipped out from under me.
I almost lost my footing. ^[2]
3 I even envied the arrogant when I observed the peace of the wicked.

⁴ For there are no struggles at their death.
Their bodies are sturdy.
⁵ They do not have the trouble common to people.
They are not plagued along with the rest of mankind.
⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace.
They wear violence like clothing.
⁷ Their eyes bulge out of their fat. ^[3]
The schemes of their hearts step over boundaries.
⁸ They mock. They speak maliciously.
From a high perch they threaten oppression.
⁹ They set their mouths against the heavens.
Their tongues strut around on earth.
¹⁰ Therefore God’s people turn to them,
and they drink it all in. ^[4]
11 They say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?”
¹² See, this is what the wicked are like—
secure forever, they increase in strength.

¹³ Have I really kept my heart pure for nothing?
Have I kept my hands clean in vain?
¹⁴ I have been plagued all day.
My punishment comes every morning.
¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak like this,”
I would certainly have betrayed the circle of your children.
¹⁶ When I tried to understand this, it was very troubling to me,
¹⁷ until I went to the sanctuary of God.
Then I understood their end.

¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery places.
You cause them to fall into destruction.
¹⁹ How quickly they come to ruin,
completely destroyed by terrors!
²⁰ They are like a dream when someone wakes up.
So when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them like an illusion.
²¹ Yes, my heart was bitter,
and I was torn up inside.
²² I was unthinking and ignorant.
I was a dumb animal before you.
²³ Yet I am always with you.
You hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ With your guidance you lead me,
and afterward, you will take me to glory.
²⁵ Who else is there for me in heaven?
And besides you, I desire no one else on earth.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail,
but God is the rock of my heart and my portion forever.
²⁷ No doubt about it!
Those who are far from you will perish.
You destroy all who commit adultery against you.
²⁸ As for me, God’s nearness is good for me.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so that I can tell about all your works.