Revised Standard Version RSV
Good News Translation GNT
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart.
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God is indeed good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had well nigh slipped.
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But I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone
3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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because I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.
4 For they have no pangs; their bodies are sound and sleek.
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They do not suffer pain; they are strong and healthy.
5 They are not in trouble as other men are; they are not stricken like other men.
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They do not suffer as other people do; they do not have the troubles that others have.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.
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And so they wear pride like a necklace and violence like a robe;
7 Their eyes swell out with fatness, their hearts overflow with follies.
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their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.
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They laugh at other people and speak of evil things; they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.
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They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
10 Therefore the people turn and praise them; and find no fault in them.
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so that even God's people turn to them and eagerly believe whatever they say.
11 And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
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They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out."
12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.
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That is what the wicked are like. They have plenty and are always getting more.
13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
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Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure and have not committed sin?
14 For all the day long I have been stricken, and chastened every morning.
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O God, you have made me suffer all day long; every morning you have punished me.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have been untrue to the generation of thy children.
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If I had said such things, I would not be acting as one of your people.
16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
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I tried to think this problem through, but it was too difficult for me
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end.
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until I went into your Temple. Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.
18 Truly thou dost set them in slippery places; thou dost make them fall to ruin.
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You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction!
19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
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They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.
20 They are like a dream when one awakes, on awaking you despise their phantoms.
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They are like a dream that goes away in the morning; when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.
21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
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When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt,
22 I was stupid and ignorant, I was like a beast toward thee.
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I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou dost hold my right hand.
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Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand.
24 Thou dost guide me with thy counsel, and afterward thou wilt receive me to glory.
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You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee.
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What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
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My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.
27 For lo, those who are far from thee shall perish; thou dost put an end to those who are false to thee.
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Those who abandon you will certainly perish; you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.
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But as for me, how wonderful to be near God, to find protection with the Sovereign Lord and to proclaim all that he has done!
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.