Text:A Psalm of Asaph

PLXXIII. A Psalm of Asaph

1 Sure GOD is good to Israel,
to those in heart sincere:
2 But as for me, my feet had slipt,
and nigh to falling were.
3 For I was envious and griev'd,
the foolish ones to see;
And the ungodly, while they liv'd
in great prosperity.

4 When they seem'd free from bands of death;
their strength seem'd firm and sure;
5 No plagues had they, nor griefs, nor pains,
As other men endure.
6 With pride as with a chain of gold
encompassed they are;
And cloath'd with violence, the same
as a rich vest they wear.

7 Out of the fulness of their fat
extended are their eyes:
And they more prosp'rous state enjoy,
than what their hearts devise.
8 Corrupted are they, and by words
in malice out they break;
Oppression openly maintain,
and loftily they speak.

9 Against the heav'ns they set themselves,
with daring mouths they talk;
And with mischeivous, lawless tongues,
throughout the earth they walk.

[2 Part]

10 From hence his people hither turn;
to this perplexing doubt;
When waters of full bitter cups
are to themselves wrung out.
11 And in their folly thus they say;
'How does God all things know?
'Does the most High look down and see,
'all things done here below?'

12 'Behold these the ungodly are,
'who live in ease and peace;
'And they who prosper in the world,
'whose riches still increase.
'Sure I have wash'd my heart and hands
'in innocence in vain:
14 For ev'ry day I plagu'd have been,
'each morning scourg'd with pain.

15 But if to speak at such a rate
I rashly should pretend,
Of thy dear children I the race
should grievously offend.
16 When this I thought to understand,
it was too hard for me;
17 Till to the house of God I went,
where I their end did see.

18 For sure on places slippery,
these men dispos'd Thou hast;
And down into destruction deep,
Thou dost them quickly cast.
19 How in a moment unawares
to ruin brought are they?
And how with terrors utterly
shall they consume away?

20 Like a vain dream when one awakes,
away their glory flies;
And when O Lord, Thou risest up,
Thou wilt their shade despise.

[3 Part]

21 So weak and troubled was my heart,
my reins were pierc'd in me;
22 So foolish I, and ignorant,
ev'n as a beast with Thee.
23 Nevertheless continually,
before Thee yet I stand;
Thou hast me also stedfastly
upheld by my right hand.

24 Thou with thy constant counsel wilt
direction to me give;
Up afterward Thou wilt on high
to glory me receive.
25 In heav'n above but Thee alone,
who is it that I have?
And there is nothing on the earth
besides Thee that I crave.

26 My flesh and heart intirely fail,
but Thou wilt me restore;
For of my heart GOD is the strength,
my portion evermore.
26 But lo, they that are far from Thee,
shall utterly decay:
And all who faithless stray from Thee,
Thou wilt consume away.

28 Whereas for me, 'tis good that I
still near to GOD repair;
I on the Lord JEHOVAH trust,
thy works all to declare.

Text Information
First Line: Sure God is good to Israel
Title: A Psalm of Asaph
Language: English
Publication Date: 1758
Scripture:
Tune Information
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