| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as 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 stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. | 2But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. |
| 3For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. | 3For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked. |
| 4For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. | 4For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. |
| 5They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. | 5They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. |
| 6Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. | 6Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing. |
| 7Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. | 7Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful. |
| 8They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. | 8They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence. |
| 9They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. | 9They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth. |
| 10Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them. | 10Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. |
| 11And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” | 11They say, "How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?" |
| 12Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. | 12Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. |
| 13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. | 13I concluded, "Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle. |
| 14For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. | 14I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning." |
| 15If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. | 15If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers. |
| 16When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— | 16When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me. |
| 17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. | 17Then I entered the precincts of God's temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked. |
| 18Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. | 18Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin. |
| 19Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. | 19How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete! |
| 20As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. | 20They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them. |
| 21Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. | 21Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain. |
| 22I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. | 22I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you. |
| 23Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. | 23But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. |
| 24You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to 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 there is none upon earth that 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 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. |
| 27For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. | 27Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to 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 Your works. | 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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