Psalm 73: Quam bonus Israel!

Truly, God is good to Israel, *

to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; *

I had almost tripped and fallen;

Because I envied the proud *

and saw the prosperity of the wicked:

For they suffer no pain, *

and their bodies are sleek and sound;

In the misfortunes of others they have no share; *

they are not afflicted as others are;

Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace *

and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.

Their iniquity comes from gross minds, *

and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.

They scoff and speak maliciously; *

out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.

They set their mouths against the heavens, *

and their evil speech runs through the world.

And so the people turn to them *

and find in them no fault.

They say, "How should God know? *

is there knowledge in the Most High?"

So then, these are the wicked; *

always at ease, they increase their wealth.

In vain have I kept my heart clean, *

and washed my hands in innocence.

I have been afflicted all day long, *

and punished every morning.

Had I gone on speaking this way, *

I should have betrayed the generation of your children.

When I tried to understand these things, *

it was too hard for me;

Until I entered the sanctuary of God *

and discerned the end of the wicked.

Surely, you set them in slippery places; *

you cast them down in ruin.

Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, *

come to an end, and perish from terror!

Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, *

when you arise you will make their image vanish.

When my mind became embittered, *

I was sorely wounded in my heart.

I was stupid and had no understanding; *

I was like a brute beast in your presence.

Yet I am always with you; *

you hold me by my right hand.

You will guide me by your counsel, *

and afterwards receive me with glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? *

and having you I desire nothing upon earth.

Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *

God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *

you destroy all who are unfaithful.

But it is good for me to be near God; *

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

I will speak of all your works *

in the gates of the city of Zion.