BOOK III

Psalms 73–89

Surely God Is Good to Israel

1A Psalme committed to Asaph. Yet God is good to Israel: euen, to the pure in heart.

2As for me, my feete were almost gone: my steps had welneere slipt.

3For I feared at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperitie of the wicked.

4For there are no bandes in their death, but they are lustie and strong.

5They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued with other men.

6Therefore pride is as a chayne vnto them, and crueltie couereth them as a garment.

7Their eyes stande out for fatnesse: they haue more then heart can wish.

8They are licentious, and speake wickedly of their oppression: they talke presumptuously.

9They set their mouth against heauen, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10Therefore his people turne hither: for waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11And they say, Howe doeth God know it? or is there knowledge in the most High?

12Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches.

13Certainely I haue clensed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie.

14For dayly haue I bene punished, and chastened euery morning.

15If I say, I will iudge thus, beholde the generation of thy children: I haue trespassed.

16Then thought I to know this, but it was too painefull for me,

17Vntill I went into the Sanctuarie of God: then vnderstoode I their ende.

18Surely thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest them downe into desolation.

19How suddenly are they destroyed, perished and horribly consumed,

20As a dreame when one awaketh! O Lord, when thou raisest vs vp, thou shalt make their image despised.

21Certainely mine heart was vexed, and I was pricked in my reines:

22So foolish was I & ignorant: I was a beast before thee.

23Yet I was alway with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24Thou wilt guide me by thy counsell, and afterward receiue me to glory.

25Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and I haue desired none in the earth with thee.

26My flesh fayleth and mine heart also: but God is the strength of mine heart, and my portion for euer.

27For loe, they that withdrawe themselues from thee, shall perish: thou destroyest all them that goe a whoring from thee.

28As for me, it is good for me to draw neere to God: therefore I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy workes.