A Psalm of Asaf. Truly God is good to Yisra᾽el, to such as are of a clean heart.

A psalm of Asaf. [Though I bewail the afflictions of Israel, I know that] truly, G d is good to Israel, to the pure of heart, [(in the afflictions He brings upon them, their purpose being to make them merit life in the world to come)].

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

And I — my feet had almost turned [from the path of G d]. In almost no time my feet might have spilled out [of the path].

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

For I was envious of the [success of] the perverters [of their paths]; I beheld the peace of the evildoers.

For there are no pangs at their death; their body is firm.

For there were no bonds [of afflictions] to their deaths, and [they died] strong as a fortress.

They are not in trouble as other men; nor are they plagued like other men.

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

Therefore, pride necklaces them; their theft bedecks their buttocks [with fat].

Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Their eyes protrude from [an excess of] fat. The hopes of their hearts are exceeded [by what they attain].

They deride, and wickedly speak oppression: they speak loftily.

They melt [the hearts of men] and they plot to rob the poor. They speak against the Most High.

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

They set their mouths against Heaven and their tongues range the earth.

Therefore his people return here: and abundant waters are drained out by them.

Therefore, [(because they see the wicked flourishing)], His people turn hither [(to their deeds)], and the waters of the full [stream (i.e., Torah)] are dregs to them.

And they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

And they say: "How can [we say] that G d knows [i.e., that He has wisdom], and that there is knowledge in the Almighty [i.e., that His Torah is true]?"

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

"Now, these [men] are wicked [(and they transgress His Torah)], and yet they live tranquilly [in the] world and amass wealth!"

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency;

"It was but in vain that I purified my heart and washed my hands in cleanliness."

for all the day I have been stricken, and chastised every morning.

"And I have been afflicted all the day, and my chastisement [has renewed itself] every morning."

If I had said, I will speak thus; behold, I should have offended against the generation of Thy children.

If I [Asaf] undertook to tell it [(all that His people say)] as [it is], I would render the generation of Your children traitors.

So I pondered how I might understand this, but it was too wearisome for me.

And when I strove to understand this [(this mode of G d's conduct)], it seemed wrong in my eyes.

Until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.

Until I came to the sanctuaries of G d [(in Jerusalem and saw what had happened to Sancheriv)]. Then I understood their [(the sinners')] end [i.e., that it is destruction.].

Surely Thou dost set them in slippery places: Thou dost cast them down into destruction.

Only as "smoothings" do You set [all this good] before them [i.e., You make things smooth for them so that they give no thought to repentance], and You cast them into darkness.

How are they brought into desolation in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

[Their beholders will say:] How were they made desolate in an instant! They are ended! They are extinguished with horrors!

As a dream when one awakes; so, O Lord, on awaking, Thou shalt despise their image.

As an endless dream [(with no awakening, so was their end [viz. Isaiah 37:36])]. The L rd, in the city [that they violated (Jerusalem)], despised their form [(burning them all)].

When my heart was embittered, and I was pricked in my reins;

For [(before I saw their downfall in a vision)], my heart was embittered [(at the success of the wicked)] and my reins were pierced.

then I was foolish and ignorant: I was like a beast before Thee.

And I was a fool, not knowing [i.e., not understanding Your mode of conduct]; I was [like] a beast with You.

But I am continually with Thee: Thou holdest my right hand.

But [(in spite of this)] I was always with You [(not deviating from Your fear)]. You held onto my right hand [(to strengthen me in Your fear when I was in danger of slipping [(see verse 2)].

Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to honourable state.

You led me in Your counsel, and then, You took me [to Yourself] for glory.

Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.

Whom do I have in heaven? [(What angel did I choose for a god?)] And I desired no one [else] with You on earth.

My flesh and my heart fail: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

My flesh and my heart yearn [for You]. G d is the Rock of my heart and my portion forever.

For, lo, they that are far from Thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all those who go astray from Thee.

For those who go far from You will go lost, as You have [always] cut off those who have strayed from You.

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good: I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may relate all Thy works.

And, as for me, the nearness of G d is my good. I have placed my shelter in the L rd G d, to relate all of Your embassies [(the Holy Spirit that enters my heart for revelation)].