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A Psalm of Asaph.
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Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
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But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
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For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
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They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
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Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
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Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
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They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
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They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
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Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
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And they say, How doth God know ? and is there knowledge in the most High ?
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Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
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Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
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For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
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If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
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When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
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Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
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Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
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How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment ! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
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As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
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Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
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So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
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Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
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Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
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Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
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My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
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For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
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But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.