Sure God is good to Israel. Even to the clean in heart

Verse 1

Sure God is good to Israel, Ev'n to the clean in heart.

Verse 2

But yet my feet had almost slipt, My steps did well nigh start.

Verse 3

For at the foole I envious was, To see lewd men in peace.

Verse 4

For without bands thro' death they pass Their strength doth nothing cease.

Verse 5

Like other men they are not In toilsome misery: Nor striken with like plagues are they, As other mortals be.

Verse 6

Pride therefore like a chain doth fence Them on each side about; And like a garment, violence Doth cover them throughout.

Verse 7

Out of the fulness of their fat Extended are their eyes; They do enjoy more prosperous state Than what their hearts devise.

Verse 8

Corrupt they are, and wickedly Speak guile; they proudly talk.

Verse 9

Their mouth the heavens doth defy, their tongue thro' th' earth doth walk.

Verse 10

Therefore his people hitherto Do turn themselves about; And waters of their cup o'erflow, That are to them wrung out.

Verse 11

And they have said, how can it be That God this thing should know? Is there in him that is most high Hereof the knowledge too?

Verse 12

Behold th' ungodly men are these, Yet have tranquility: They do within this world increase, In rich ability.

Verse 13

Sure I have cleans'd my heart in vain, Hands wash'd in innocence.

Verse 14

For ev'ry day I plagu'd have been, Each morn with chastisements.

Verse 15

If I should say that I will make This declaration: Lo, of thy sons I should offend The generation.

Verse 16

When as I thought this thing to know, It was too hard for me:

Verse 17

Till I did to God's temple go, Where I their end did see.

Verse 18

Surely in places slippery These men thou placed hast; To desolation suddenly Thou dost them also cast.

Verse 19

As in a moment how are they Brought to destruction? And how are they consum'd away With sad confusion?

Verse 20

Like to a dream when as a man Awaking doth arise; When thou awak'st their image then O Lord thou shalt despise.

Verse 21

My heart with grief was leaven'd so Prick'd were my reins in me.

Verse 22

So foolish I, and did not know, Like as a beast with thee.

Verse 23

Nevertheless continually Before thee do I stand; Thou hast upheld me stedfastly, Also by my right hand.

Verse 24

Thou with thy prudent counsel shall Direction to me give; Up afterward also thou shalt To glory me receive.

Verse 25

In heav'n above, but thee alone, Who is it that I have? And there is nothing th' earth upon Besides thee that I crave.

Verse 26

This flesh of mine, also my heart, Do utterly fail me: The mighty God he is my part And strength of heart aye's he.

Verse 27

For lo, they that are far from thee Shall utterly decay: All that a whoring go from thee Thou shalt consume away.

Verse 28

But as for me 'tis good that I Near unto God repair. I do on God the Lord rely, Thy works all do declare.