| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. | 1A psalm by Asaph. Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure! |
| 2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. | 2But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. |
| 3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. | 3For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked. |
| 4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. | 4For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. |
| 5They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. | 5They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. |
| 6Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. | 6Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing. |
| 7From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. | 7Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful. |
| 8They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. | 8They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence. |
| 9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. | 9They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth. |
| 10Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. | 10Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. |
| 11They say, "How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?" | 11They say, "How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?" |
| 12This is what the wicked are like-- always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. | 12Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. |
| 13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. | 13I concluded, "Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle. |
| 14All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. | 14I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning." |
| 15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. | 15If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers. |
| 16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply | 16When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me. |
| 17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. | 17Then I entered the precincts of God's temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked. |
| 18Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. | 18Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin. |
| 19How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! | 19How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete! |
| 20They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. | 20They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them. |
| 21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, | 21Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain. |
| 22I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. | 22I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you. |
| 23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. | 23But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. |
| 24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. | 24You guide me by your wise advice, and then you will lead me to a position of honor. |
| 25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. | 25Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth. |
| 26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. | 26My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability. |
| 27Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. | 27Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you. |
| 28But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. | 28But as for me, God's presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign LORD my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done. |
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