1A Psalm of Asaph. O How loving is God unto Israel, to such as are of a clean heart?
2Nevertheless my feet were almost gone, my treadings had well nigh slipped.
3And why? I was grieved at the wicked, to see the ungodly in such prosperity.
4For they are in no peril of death, but stand fast like a palace.
5They come in no misfortune like other folk, neither are they plagued like other men.
6And this is the cause that they be so puffed(puft) up in pride, and overwhelmed with cruelty and unrighteousness.
7Their eyes swell for fatness, they do even what they list.
8Corrupt are they, and speak blasphemies maliciously, proud and presumptuous are their words.
9They stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven, and their tongue goeth thorow the world.
10Therefore fall the people unto them, and there out suck they no small advantage.
11Tush (say they) How should God perceive it? is there knowledge in the most highest?
12Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, these have riches in possession.
13Should I then cleanse my heart in vain, (thought I) and wash my hands in innocency?
14Wherefore should I be then punished daily, and be chastened every morning?
15Yea I had almost also said even as they do: but lo, then should I have condemned the generation of thy children.
16Then thought I to understand this, but it was too hard for me.
17Until I went into the Sanctuary of God, and considered the end of these men.
18Namely how thou hast set them in a slippery place, that thou mayest cast them down headlong(headlynges) and destroy them.
19O how suddenly do they consume, perish and come to a fearful end.
20Yea even like as a dream when one awaketh, so makest thou their image to vanish out of the city.
21Thus my heart was grieved, and it went even thorow my reins.
22So foolish was I and ignorant, and as it were a beast before thee.
23Nevertheless I am alway by thee, thou holdest me by my right hand.
24Thou leadest me with thy counsel, and afterward receivest me unto glory.
25O what is there prepared for me in heaven? there is no thing upon earth, that I desire in comparison of thee.
26My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27For lo, they that forsake thee shall perish: thou destroyest all them that commit fornication against thee.
28But it is good for me, to hold me fast by God, to put my trust in the Lord GOD,(LORDE God) and to speak of all thy works.