1No doubt about it! God is good–good to good people, good to the good–hearted.
2But I nearly missed it,
missed seeing his goodness.
3I was looking the other way,
looking up to the people
4At the top,
envying the wicked who have it made,
5Who have nothing to worry about,
not a care in the whole wide world.
6Pretentious with arrogance,
they wear the latest fashions in violence,
7Pampered and overfed,
decked out in silk bows of silliness.
8They jeer, using words to kill;
they bully their way with words.
9They’re full of hot air,
loudmouths disturbing the peace.
10People actually listen to them–can you believe it?
Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
11What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch?
Nobody’s tending the store.
12The wicked get by with everything;
they have it made, piling up riches
13I’ve been stupid to play by the rules;
what has it gotten me?
14A long run of bad luck, that’s what–
a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
15If I’d have given in and talked like this,
I would have betrayed your dear children.
16Still, when I tried to figure it out,
all I got was a splitting headache . . .
17Until I entered the sanctuary of God.
Then I saw the whole picture:
18The slippery road you’ve put them on,
with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
19In the blink of an eye, disaster!
A blind curve in the dark, and–nightmare!
20We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing.
There’s nothing to them. And there never was.
21When I was beleaguered and bitter,
totally consumed by envy,
22I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox
in your very presence.
23I’m still in your presence,
but you’ve taken my hand.
24You wisely and tenderly lead me,
and then you bless me.
25You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
26When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
GOD is rock-firm and faithful.
27Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
28But I’m in the very presence of God–
oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord GOD my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do!
An Asaph psalm
