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Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
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But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly a slipped.
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b For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the c wicked.
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For there are no 1 pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
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d They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
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Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them e like a garment.
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f Their 2 eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
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g They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They h speak 3 loftily.
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They set their mouth i against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
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Therefore his people return here,
j And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
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And they say, k "How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?"
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Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
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Surely I have 4 cleansed my heart in l vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
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For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
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If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
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When I thought how to understand this,
It was 5 too painful for me -
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Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their m end.
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Surely n You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
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Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
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As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
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Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was 6 vexed in my mind.
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o I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
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Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
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p You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
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q Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
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r My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the 7 strength of my heart and my s portion forever.
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For indeed, t those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who 8 desert You for harlotry.
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But it is good for me to u draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may v declare all Your works.