Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 <<A Psalm by Asaf.>> Surely God is good to Yisra'el, To those who are pure in heart.
1
No doubt about it! God is good - good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
2
But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
3
I was looking the other way, looking up to the people
4 For there are no struggles in their death, But their strength is firm.
4
At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,
5 They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men.
5
Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
6
Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,
7 Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
7
Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness.
8 They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
8
They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words.
9 They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the eretz.
9
They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace.
10 Therefore their people return to them, And they drink up waters of abundance.
10
People actually listen to them - can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
11 They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in Ha`Elyon?"
11
What's going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store.
12 Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
12
The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches
13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence,
13
I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me?
14 For all day long have I been plagued, And punished every morning.
14
A long run of bad luck, that's what - a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus;" Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
15
If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children.
16 When I tried to understand this, It was too painful for me;
16
Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . .
17 Until I entered God's sanctuary, And considered their latter end.
17
Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture:
18 Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
18
The slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
19
In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and - nightmare!
20 As a dream when one wakes up, So, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
20
We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
21 For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
21
When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy,
22 I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
22
I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence.
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
23
I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand.
24 You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
24
You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
25 Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on eretz who I desire besides you.
25
You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth!
26 My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
26
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful.
27 For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
27
Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
28 But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all your works.
28
But I'm in the very presence of God - oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home. God, I'm telling the world what you do!
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.