VIN(i)
1 A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled. My steps had nearly slipped,
3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
5 They are free from the burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace and violence covers them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with fat, their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8 They scoff and speak with malice; in arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouth against heaven; and their tongue passed on over the earth.
10 Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
11 Then they say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
12 Look, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus;" look, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me,
17 until I entered the sanctuaries of God. Then I understood their destiny.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down into ruin.
19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20 As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23 But I am always with You; You have held me by my right hand.
24 You shall guide me by Your counsel; and afterward You will take me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none on earth that I desire beside you.
26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
28 But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.