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A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
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But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
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For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
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They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
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Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
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Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
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They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
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They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
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Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
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They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
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Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
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Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,
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For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.
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If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
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When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—
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until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
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Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
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How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
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As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
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For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
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I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
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Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
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You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
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Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
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My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
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For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
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But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.