73 Plea for Relief from Oppressors

1 [A Psalme of Asaph.] Truely God is good to Israel, euen to such as are of a cleane heart.

2 But as for mee, my feete were almost gone: my steps had well-nigh slipt.

3 For I was enuious at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firme.

5 They are not in trouble as other men: neither are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chaine: violence couereth them as a garment.

7 Their eies stand out with fatnes: they haue more then heart could wish.

8 They are corrupt, and speake wickedly concerning oppression: they speake loftily.

9 They set their mouth against the heauens; and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 Therefore his people returne hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

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

12 Behold, these are the vngodly: who prosper in the world, they increase in riches.

13 Uerily I haue cleansed my heart in vaine, and washed my hands in innocencie.

14 For all the day long haue I bene plagued, and chastened euery morning.

15 If I say, I will speake thus: behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16 When I thought to know this, it was too painfull for me,

17 Untill I went into the Sanctuarie of God; then vnderstood I their end.

18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them downe into destruction.

19 How are they brought into desolation as in a moment? they are vtterly consumed with terrours.

20 As a dreame when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image.

21 Thus my heart was greeued, and I was pricked in my reines.

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23 Neuerthelesse I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell; and afterward receiue me to glory.

25 Whom haue I in heauen but thee? and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for euer.

27 For loe, they that are farre from thee, shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that goe awhoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me, to drawe neere to God: I haue put my trust in the Lord God, that I maydeclare all thy workes.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Agere Sequitur Esse