1[A psalm by Asaph.] God is truly good to Israel, to those whose lives are pure.

2But my feet had almost stumbled. They had almost slipped

3because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.

4They suffer no pain. Their bodies are healthy.

5They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. They are not plagued [with problems] like others.

6That is why they wear arrogance like a necklace and acts of violence like clothing.

7Their eyes peer out from their fat faces, and their imaginations run wild.

8They ridicule. They speak maliciously. They speak arrogantly about oppression.

9They verbally attack heaven, and they order people around on earth.

10That is why God's people turn to wickedness and swallow their words.

11Then wicked people ask, "What does God know?" "Does the Most High know anything?"

12Look how wicked they are! They never have a worry. They grow more and more wealthy.

13I've received no reward for keeping my life pure and washing my hands of any blame.

14I'm plagued [with problems] all day long, and every morning my punishment [begins again].

15If I had said, "I will continue to talk like that," I would have betrayed God's people.

16But when I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me.

17Only when I came into God's holy place did I [finally] understand what would happen to them.

18You put them in slippery places and make them fall into ruin.

19They are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away by terror!

20As [someone] gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them when you wake up.

21When my heart was filled with bitterness and my mind was seized [with envy],

22I was stupid, and I did not understand. I was like a dumb animal in your presence.

23Yet, I am always with you. You hold on to my right hand.

24With your advice you guide me, and in the end you will take me to glory.

25As long as I have you, I don't need anyone else in heaven or on earth.

26My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever.

27Without a doubt, those who are far from you will die. You destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty LORD my refuge so that I may report everything that he has done.