Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure in heart.

1Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray.

2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.

3For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

3For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4They have an easy time until they die, and their bodies are well fed.

4For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.

5They are not in trouble like others; they are not afflicted like most people.

5They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.

6Therefore, pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment.

6Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.

7Their eyes bulge out from fatness; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

7Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.

8They mock, and they speak maliciously; they arrogantly threaten oppression.

8They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.

9They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues strut across the earth.

9They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

10Therefore his people turn to them and drink in their overflowing words.

10Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.

11The wicked say, "How can God know? Does the Most High know everything?"

11And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

12Look at them--the wicked! They are always at ease, and they increase their wealth.

12Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.

13Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?

13All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.

14For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

14For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.

15If I had decided to say these things aloud, I would have betrayed your people.

15If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

16When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless

16But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,

17until I entered God's sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny.

17until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

18Indeed, you put them in slippery places; you make them fall into ruin.

18Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.

19How suddenly they become a desolation! They come to an end, swept away by terrors.

19How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!

20Like one waking from a dream, Lord, when arising, you will despise their image.

20Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.

21When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded,

21When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,

22I was stupid and didn't understand; I was an unthinking animal toward you.

22I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

23Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.

23Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory.

24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

25Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you.

25Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.

26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27Those far from you will certainly perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

27For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28But as for me, God's presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.

28But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.