King James Bible

New Living Translation

1A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

1Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.

2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

2But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

4They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.

5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

5They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.

7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

7These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!

8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.

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

9They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.

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

10And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.

11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”

12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

12Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

14I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

15If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.

16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

16So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

17Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

18Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

19In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.

20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

20When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

21Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

22I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

23Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

24You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

25Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

27Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.

28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

28But 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.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.