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