Sure God is good to Israel, To those in heart sincere

Verse 1

Sure GOD is good to Israel, to those in heart sincere:

Verse 2

But as for me, my feet had slipt, and nigh to falling were.

Verse 3

For I was envious and griev'd, the foolish ones to see; And the ungodly, while they liv'd in great prosperity.

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When they seem'd free from bands of death; their strength seem'd firm and sure;

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No plagues had they, nor griefs, nor pains, As other men endure.

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With pride as with a chain of gold encompassed they are; And cloath'd with violence, the same as a rich vest they wear.

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Out of the fulness of their fat extended are their eyes: And they more prosp'rous state enjoy, than what their hearts devise.

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Corrupted are they, and by words in malice out they break; Oppression openly maintain, and loftily they speak.

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

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From hence his people hither turn; to this perplexing doubt; When waters of full bitter cups are to themselves wrung out.

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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?'

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'Behold these the ungodly are, 'who live in ease and peace; 'And they who prosper in the world, 'whose riches still increase.

Verse 13

'Sure I have wash'd my heart and hands 'in innocence in vain:

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For ev'ry day I plagu'd have been, 'each morning scourg'd with pain.

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But if to speak at such a rate I rashly should pretend, Of thy dear children I the race should grievously offend.

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When this I thought to understand, it was too hard for me;

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Till to the house of God I went, where I their end did see.

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For sure on places slippery, these men dispos'd Thou hast; And down into destruction deep, Thou dost them quickly cast.

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How in a moment unawares to ruin brought are they? And how with terrors utterly shall they consume away?

Verse 20

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

Verse 21

So weak and troubled was my heart, my reins were pierc'd in me;

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So foolish I and ignorant, ev'n as a beast with Thee.

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Nevertheless continually, before Thee yet I stand; Thou hast me also stedfastly upheld by my right hand.

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Thou with thy constant counsel wilt direction to me give; Up afterward Thou wilt on high to glory me receive.

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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.

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My flesh and heart intirely fail, but Thou wilt me restore; For of my heart GOD is the strength, my portion evermore.

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But lo, they that are far from Thee, shall utterly decay; And all who faithless stray from Thee, Thou wilt consume away.

Verse 28

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