In My Distress (120)

`Surely God is good to / Israel,

to `those who are_ / pure in heart.

But `as for me, my feet had / almost stumbled.

My `steps had / nearly slipped.

For `I was envious_ of the / arrogant,

when `I saw the prosperity_ / of the wicked.

`For they have no struggles un_ / til their death,

`but their / strength is firm.

(Ref)

`They are free_ from the burdens / of~ others,

`neither are they plagued like / other people.

`Therefore pride is like a chain a / round their neck.

`Violence_ covers them_ / like a garment.

Their `eyes bulge out from / fat~ ness.

Their `minds_ pass the limits / of conceit.

They `scoff and / speak with malice.

In `arrogance, they threa_ / ten oppression.

`They have set their mouth a / gainst~ heaven.

Their `tongue struts / through the earth.

`Therefore their_ people / turn to them,

`and they drink up waters / of abundance.

(Ref)

They `say_, “How does / God~ know?

`Is there knowledge in_ / the Most High?”

Be `hold, these / are the wicked.

`Being always at ease, they in / crease in riches.

`Surely I have kept my heart_ / pure in vain,

and `washed my hands in / innocence,

For `all day long I / have been plagued,

and `punished / ev’ry morning.

If `I had said, “I / will speak thus”,

`I would have betrayed_ / your~ children.

`When I tried to under / stand~ this,

`it was too_ painful / for~ me —

(Ref)

un `til I entered God’s_ / sanctuary,

`and considered their_ / destiny.

`Surely you set them in slipp’ry / pla~ ces.

You `throw them down_ / to destruction.

`How they are_ sudden / ly destroyed!

They `are completely swept a / way with terrors.

`As a dream when / one awakes,

`so_, Lord, when you awake, you will despise them as_ / fantasies.

`For my / soul was grieved.

`I was em_ bittered / in my heart.

`I was so_ senseless and_ / ignorant.

`I was a brute beast be / fore~ you.

(Ref)

`Nevertheless, I am always / with~ you.

`You have held_ / my right hand.

`You will guide me / with your counsel,

and `afterward receive_ / me to glory.

`Who_ do I have in heaven / but~ you?

`There is nothing on_ earth that I desire be / sides~ you.

My `flesh_ and my / heart may fail,

but `God_ is the strength_ / of my heart • `and my portion for_ / e~ ver.

`Those who are_ far from / you shall perish.

`You destroy all those who are unfaithful / to~ you.

But `it is good for me to come_ / close to God.

`I have made the Lord_ GOD my / re~ fuge • • that `I may tell of / all your works.