¹² This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care,^(A) they go on amassing wealth.^(B)

¹³ Surely in vain^(C) I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.^(D)
14 All day long I have been afflicted,^(E)
    and every morning brings new punishments.

¹⁵ If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
¹⁶ When I tried to understand^(F) all this,
    it troubled me deeply
¹⁷ till I entered the sanctuary^(G) of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.^(H)

¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery ground;^(I)
    you cast them down to ruin.^(J)
19 How suddenly^(K) are they destroyed,
    completely swept away^(L) by terrors!
²⁰ They are like a dream^(M) when one awakes;^(N)
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.^(O)

²¹ When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
²² I was senseless^(P) and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast^(Q) before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.^(R)
24 You guide^(S) me with your counsel,^(T)
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?^(U)
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.^(V)
26 My flesh and my heart^(W) may fail,^(X)
    but God is the strength^(Y) of my heart
    and my portion^(Z) forever.

²⁷ Those who are far from you will perish;^(AA)
    you destroy all who are unfaithful^(AB) to you.
²⁸ But as for me, it is good to be near God.^(AC)
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;^(AD)
    I will tell of all your deeds.^(AE)