Psalm 73 Quam bonus Israel!

1 Truly, God is good to Israel, *
to those who are pure in heart. 
2 But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; *
I had almost tripped and fallen; 
3 Because I envied the proud *
and saw the prosperity of the wicked: 
4 For they suffer no pain, *
and their bodies are sleek and sound; 
5 In the misfortunes of others they have no share; *
they are not afflicted as others are; 
6 Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace *
and wrap their violence about them like a cloak. 
7 Their iniquity comes from gross minds, *
and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts. 
8 They scoff and speak maliciously; *
out of their haughtiness they plan oppression. 
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, *
and their evil speech runs through the world. 
10 And so the people turn to them *
and find in them no fault. 
11 They say, "How should God know? *
is there knowledge in the Most High?" 
12 So then, these are the wicked; *
always at ease, they increase their wealth. 
13 In vain have I kept my heart clean, *
and washed my hands in innocence. 
14 I have been afflicted all day long, *
and punished every morning. 
15 Had I gone on speaking this way, *
I should have betrayed the generation of your children. 
16 When I tried to understand these things, *
it was too hard for me; 
17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God *
and discerned the end of the wicked. 
18 Surely, you set them in slippery places; *
you cast them down in ruin. 
19 Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, *
come to an end, and perish from terror! 
20 Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, *
when you arise you will make their image vanish. 
21 When my mind became embittered, *
I was sorely wounded in my heart. 
22 I was stupid and had no understanding; *
I was like a brute beast in your presence. 
23 Yet I am always with you; *
you hold me by my right hand. 
24 You will guide me by your counsel, *
and afterwards receive me with glory. 
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? *
and having you I desire nothing upon earth. 
26 Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *
God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 
27 Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *
you destroy all who are unfaithful. 
28 But it is good for me to be near God; *
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge. 
29 I will speak of all your works *
in the gates of the city of Zion.

NRSV