1 The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God A Psalm of Ps. 50:title Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly Job 12:5 slipped.
3 Ps. 37:1, 7; (Prov. 23:17) For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the Job 21:5–16; Jer. 12:1 wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.
5 Job 21:9 They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them Ps. 109:18 like a garment.
7 Job 15:27; Jer. 5:28 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.
8 Ps. 53:1 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They 2 Pet. 2:18; Jude 16 speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth Rev. 13:6 against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here, (Ps. 75:8) And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 And they say, Job 22:13 “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.
13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in Job 21:15; 35:3; Mal. 3:14 vain, And washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their (Ps. 37:38; 55:23) end.
18 Surely Ps. 35:6 You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.
22 Ps. 92:6 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
24 Ps. 32:8; 48:14; Is. 58:11 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
25 (Phil. 3:8) Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 Ps. 84:2 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my Ps. 16:5 portion forever.
27 For indeed, (Ps. 119:155) those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to (Heb. 10:22; James 4:8) draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord G od , That I may Ps. 116:10;2 Cor. 4:13 declare all Your works.