1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

72:1 Psalmus Asaph. Quam bonus Israël Deus,
his qui recto sunt corde!

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

2 Mei autem pene moti sunt pedes,
pene effusi sunt gressus mei:

3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

3 quia zelavi super iniquos,
pacem peccatorum videns.

4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

4 Quia non est respectus morti eorum,
et firmamentum in plaga eorum.

5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

5 In labore hominum non sunt,
et cum hominibus non flagellabuntur.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

6 Ideo tenuit eos superbia;
operti sunt iniquitate et impietate sua.

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

7 Prodiit quasi ex adipe iniquitas eorum;
transierunt in affectum cordis.

8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

8 Cogitaverunt et locuti sunt nequitiam;
iniquitatem in excelso locuti sunt.

9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

9 Posuerunt in cælum os suum,
et lingua eorum transivit in terra.

10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

10 Ideo convertetur populus meus hic,
et dies pleni invenientur in eis.

11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

11 Et dixerunt: Quomodo scit Deus,
et si est scientia in excelso?

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

12 Ecce ipsi peccatores, et abundantes in sæculo
obtinuerunt divitias.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

13 Et dixi: Ergo sine causa justificavi cor meum,
et lavi inter innocentes manus meas,

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

14 et fui flagellatus tota die,
et castigatio mea in matutinis.

15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

15 Si dicebam: Narrabo sic;
ecce nationem filiorum tuorum reprobavi.

16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

16 Existimabam ut cognoscerem hoc;
labor est ante me:

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

17 donec intrem in sanctuarium Dei,
et intelligam in novissimis eorum.

18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

18 Verumtamen propter dolos posuisti eis;
dejecisti eos dum allevarentur.

19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

19 Quomodo facti sunt in desolationem?
subito defecerunt: perierunt propter iniquitatem suam.

20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

20 Velut somnium surgentium, Domine,
in civitate tua imaginem ipsorum ad nihilum rediges.

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

21 Quia inflammatum est cor meum,
et renes mei commutati sunt;

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

22 et ego ad nihilum redactus sum, et nescivi:

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

23 ut jumentum factus sum apud te,
et ego semper tecum.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

24 Tenuisti manum dexteram meam,
et in voluntate tua deduxisti me,
et cum gloria suscepisti me.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

25 Quid enim mihi est in cælo?
et a te quid volui super terram?

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

26 Defecit caro mea et cor meum;
Deus cordis mei, et pars mea, Deus in æternum.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

27 Quia ecce qui elongant se a te peribunt;
perdidisti omnes qui fornicantur abs te.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

28 Mihi autem adhærere Deo bonum est;
ponere in Domino Deo spem meam:
ut annuntiem omnes prædicationes tuas
in portis filiæ Sion.