New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
1
Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
2
But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
3
For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
4
They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
5
They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
6
They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits.
7
These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
8
They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
9
They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
10
And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
11
“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
12
Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
13
Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
14
I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
15
If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
16
So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
17
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
18
Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
19
In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
20
When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
21
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
22
I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
23
Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
24
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
25
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
26
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
27
Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
28
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.