1 How ever it be yet God is good
and kind to Israel:
And to all such as safely keep
their conscience pure and well.
2 Yet like a fool I almost slipt,
my feet began to slide:
And ere I wist, even at a pinch
my steps awry gan glide.
3 For when I saw such foolish men,
I grudg'd with great disdaine,
That wicked men all things should have
without turmoile or paine.
4 They never suffer pangs nor griefe,
as if death should them smite:
Their bodies are full stout and strong,
and ever in good plight.
5 And free from all adversity,
when other men be shent:
And with the rest they take no part
of plague or punishment.
6 Therefore presumption doth imbrace
their necks as doth a chaine:
And are even wrapt as in a robe,
with rapine and disdaine.
7 They are so fed that even for fat
their eyes oft times out start:
And as for worldly goods they have
more than can wish their heart.
8 Their life is most licentious:
boasting much of their wrong
Which they have done to simple men
and eve pr'yed among.
9 The heavens and the living Lord
they spare not to blaspheme:
And prate they do of worldly things,
no wight they do esteeme.
10 The people of God oft times turnback
to see their prosperous state:
And almost drink the self same cup,
and follow the same rate.
The second Part:
11 How can it be that God (say theyP
should know or understand
These worldly things, sith wicked men
be Lords of sea and land?
12 For we may see how wicked men
in riches still increase:
Rewarded well with worldly goods,
and live in rest and peace.
13 Then why do I from wickednesse
my fantasie refraine?
And wash my hands with innocents,
and cleanse my heart in vaine?
14 And suffer scourges every day,
as subject to all blame:
And every morning from my youth
sustain rebuke and shame?
15 And I had almost said as they,
misliking my estate:
But that I should thy children judge,
as folk unfortunate.
16 Then I bethought me how I might
this matter understand:
But yet the labour was too great
for me to take in hand.
17 Untill the time I went into
thy holy place, and then
I understood right perfectly
the end of all these men.
18 And namely, how thou settest them
upon a slippery place:
And at thy pleasure and thy will
thou dost them all deface.
19 Then all men muse at that strange sight,
to see how suddenly
They are destroid, dispatcht, consumed,
and dead so horribly.
20 Much like a dreame when one awakes,
so shall their wealth decay:
Their famous names in all mens sight
shall ebbe and passe away.
The third Part.
21 Yet thus my heart was grieved then,
my mind was much opprest:
22 So fond was I and ignorant,
and in this point a beast.
23 Yet meverthelesse by my right hand,
thou holdst me alwaies fast:
24 And with thy counsell dost me guide
to glory at the last.
25 What thing is there that I can wish
but thee in heaven above?
And in the earth there is nothing,
like thee that I can love.
26 My flesh and eke my heart doth faile
but God doth faile me never:
For of my health God is the strength,
my portion eke for ever.
27 And lo all such as thee forsake,
thou shalt destroy each one:
And those that trust in any thing,
saving in thee alone.
26 Therefore will I draw neare to God,
and ever with him dwell:
In God alone I put my trust,
thy wonders I will tell.
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