1 Since the psalm appears to focus on an individual’s concerns, not the situation of Israel, this introduction may be a later addition designed to apply the psalm’s message to the entire community. To provide a better parallel with the next line, some emend the Hebrew phrase לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֱלֹהִים (léyisra’el ’elohim, “to Israel, God”) to אֱלֹהִים [or אֵל] לָיָּשָׁר (’elohim [or ’el] léyyashar, “God [is good] to the upright one”).
2 Heb “to the pure of heart.”
3 The Hebrew verb normally means “to pour out,” but here it must have the nuance “to slide.” My feet almost slid out from under me. The language is metaphorical. As the following context makes clear, the psalmist almost “slipped” in a spiritual sense. As he began to question God’s justice, the psalmist came close to abandoning his faith.
4 The imperfect verbal form here depicts the action as continuing in a past time frame.
5 Heb “peace” (שָׁלוֹם, shalom).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

A Psalm of Asaph.

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,

my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

A psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;

I had nearly lost my foothold.

For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

A psalm of Asaph.

God is indeed good to Israel,

to the pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet almost slipped;

my steps nearly went astray.

For I envied the arrogant;

I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

NLTNew Living Translation

A psalm of Asaph.

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those whose hearts are pure.

But as for me, I almost lost my footing.

My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

For I envied the proud

when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

A song of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,

to those pure of heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled.

My steps had nearly slipped,

because I envied the boastful

when I saw the well-being of the wicked.

KJV 1900King James Version

A Psalm of Asaph.

Truly God is good to Israel,

Even to such as are of a clean heart.

But as for me, my feet were almost gone;

My steps had well nigh slipped.

For I was envious at the foolish,

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Public Domain