1 Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart.
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2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
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3 For I was envious of the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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4 For there are no struggles in their death, But their strength is firm.
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5 They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men.
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6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
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7 Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
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8 They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
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9 They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
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10 Therefore their people return to them, And they drink up waters of abundance.
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11 They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
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12 Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
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13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence,
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14 For all day long have I been plagued, And punished every morning.
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15 If I had said, "I will speak thus;" Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
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16 When I tried to understand this, It was too painful for me;
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17 Until I entered God's sanctuary, And considered their latter end.
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18 Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
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19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
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20 As a dream when one wakes up, So, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
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21 For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
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22 I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
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23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
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24 You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
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25 Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.
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26 My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
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27 For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
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28 But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, That I may tell of all your works. Psalm 74 A contemplation by Asaph.
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