1-5. No doubt about it! God is good—good to good people, good to the good-hearted.But I nearly missed it,missed seeing his goodness.I was looking the other way,looking up to the peopleAt the top,envying the wicked who have it made,Who have nothing to worry about,not a care in the whole wide world.
6-10. Pretentious with arrogance,they wear the latest fashions in violence,Pampered and overfed,decked out in silk bows of silliness.They jeer, using words to kill;they bully their way with words.They’re full of hot air,loudmouths disturbing the peace.People actually listen to them—can you believe it?Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
11-14. What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch?Nobody’s tending the store.The wicked get by with everything;they have it made, piling up riches.I’ve been stupid to play by the rules;what has it gotten me?A long run of bad luck, that’s what—a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
15-20. If I’d have given in and talked like this,I would have betrayed your dear children.Still, when I tried to figure it out,all I got was a splitting headache . . .Until I entered the sanctuary of God.Then I saw the whole picture:The slippery road you’ve put them on,with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.In the blink of an eye, disaster!A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare!We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing.There’s nothing to them. And there never was.
21-24. When I was beleaguered and bitter,totally consumed by envy,I was totally ignorant, a dumb oxin your very presence.I’m still in your presence,but you’ve taken my hand.You wisely and tenderly lead me,and then you bless me.