Study Desk

God certainly is ^(C1)good to Israel, To those who are ^(C2)pure in heart!

But as for me, ^(C1)my feet came close to stumbling, My steps ^(F1)had almost slipped.

For I was ^(C1)envious of the ^(F1)arrogant As I saw the ^(C2)prosperity of the wicked.

For there are no pains in their death, And their belly is fat.

They are ^(C1)not ^(F1)in trouble like other people, Nor are they ^(C2)tormented together with the rest of mankind.

Therefore arrogance is ^(C1)their necklace; The ^(C2)garment of violence covers them.

Their eye ^(F1)bulges from ^(C1)fatness; The imaginations of their heart overflow.

They ^(C1)mock and ^(F1)wickedly speak of oppression; They ^(C2)speak from on high.

They have ^(C1)set their mouth ^(F1)against the heavens, And their tongue ^(F2)parades through the earth.

Therefore ^(F1)his people return here, And ^(C1)abundant waters are drunk by them.

They say, "^(C1)How does God know? And is there knowledge ^(F1)with the Most High?"

Behold, ^(C1)these are the wicked; And always ^(C2)at ease, they have increased in wealth.

Surely ^(C1)in vain I have ^(F1)kept my heart pure And ^(C2)washed my hands in innocence;

For I have been stricken ^(C1)all day long, And ^(F1)(C2)punished every morning.

If I had said, "I will speak this way," Behold, I would have betrayed the ^(C1)generation of Your children.

When I ^(C1)thought of understanding this, It was ^(F1)troublesome in my sight

Until I entered the ^(F1)(C1)sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their ^(C2)end.

You indeed put them on ^(C1)slippery ground; You dropped them into ^(F1)(C2)ruin.

How they are ^(F1)(C1)destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by ^(C2)sudden terrors!

Like a ^(C1)dream when one awakes, Lord, when ^(C2)stirred, You will ^(C3)despise their image.

When my ^(C1)heart was embittered And I was ^(C2)pierced ^(F1)within,

Then I was ^(C1)stupid and ignorant; I was like an ^(C2)animal ^(F1)before You.

Nevertheless ^(C1)I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand.

You will ^(C1)guide me with Your plan, And afterward ^(C2)receive me ^(F1)to glory.

^(C1)Whom do I have in heaven but You? And with You, I desire nothing on earth.

My ^(C1)flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the ^(F1)strength of my heart and my ^(C2)portion forever.

For, behold, ^(C1)those who are far from You will ^(C2)perish; You have destroyed all those who ^(F1)(C3)are unfaithful to You.

But as for me, ^(C1)the nearness of God is good for me; I have made the Lord ^(F1)GOD my ^(C2)refuge, So that I may ^(C3)tell of all Your works.