Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 15 hymnals Lyrics: 1 Yet God is good to Israel,
To each pure-hearted one.
With me, my steps had nearly slipped,
My feet were almost gone.
2 For I was envious, and grudged
The foolish ones to see,
When I perceived the wicked men
Enjoyed prosperity.
3 Because their strength continues firm;
Their death from bands is free.
They are not toiled like other men,
Nor plagued, as others be.
4 Their pride doth therefore like a chain,
Encompass them about;
And, as a garment, violence
Doth cover them throughout.
5 Their eyes stand out with fat, they have
More than their hearts could wish.
They are corrupt; their talk of wrong
Both lewd and lofty is.
6 They set their mouth against the heav’ns
In their blaspheming talk;
And their reproaching tongue at large
Throughout the earth doth walk.
7 His people, therefore, oftentimes
Look back, and turn about;
And in abundance unto them
The waters are poured out.
8 And thus they say, "How can it be
That God these things doth know?"
Or, Can there in the Highest be
Knowledge of things below?
9 Behold, how these, the wicked ones,
Do prosper at their will
In worldly things; how they increase
In wealth and riches still!
10 I verily have sought in vain
My heart to purify;
And vainly also washed my hands
In innocence have I.
11 For daily, and all day throughout,
Great plagues I suffered have;
Yea, every morning I anew
Did chastisement receive.
12 If in this manner foolishly
To speak I would intend,
Thy children’s generation then
Behold I should offend.
13 When I this thought to know, it was
Too hard a thing for me;
Till to God’s holy place I went,
Then I their end did see.
14 Them set upon a slippery place
Assuredly Thou hast;
And suddenly didst Thou, O Lord,
Them to destruction cast.
15 How in a moment suddenly
To ruin brought are they!
With fearful terrors utterly
They are consumed away.
16 E’en like an empty dream when one
From sleeping doth arise;
So Thou, when Thou awakest, Lord,
Their image shalt despise.
17 Thus grieved within me was my heart,
And me my reins oppressed:
So rude was I, and ignorant,
And in Thy sight a beast.
18 Yet not withstanding this, O Lord,
I ever am with Thee:
Thou hast me held by my right hand,
And still upholdest me.
19 With Thy good counsel while I live,
Thou wilt me safely guide;
And into glory afterward
Receive me to abide.
20 O whom have I in heavens high
But Thee, O Lord, alone?
And in the earth whom I desire
Besides Thee there is none.
21 My flesh and heart do faint and fail,
But God my heart sustains;
The strength and portion of my heart
He evermore remains.
22 For, lo, they that are far from Thee
Forever perish shall;
And as for those who from Thee stray
Thou hast destroyed them all.
23 But surely it is good for me
That I draw near to God:
In God I trust, that all Thy works
I may declare abroad. Used With Tune: CRIMOND Text Sources: The Book of Psalms (Pittsburgh: United Presbyterian Board of Publications, 1871)
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