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Psalm 36

To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the Lord.

Transgression [like an oracle] speaks to the wicked deep in his heart. There is no fear or dread of God before his eyes.(A)

For he flatters and deceives himself in his own eyes that his iniquity will not be found out and be hated.

The words of his mouth are wrong and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.

He plans wrongdoing on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject or despise evil.

Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, extend to the skies, and Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, Your judgments are like the great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

They relish and feast on the abundance of Your house; and You cause them to drink of the stream of Your pleasures.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.(B)

10 O continue Your loving-kindness to those who know You, Your righteousness (salvation) to the upright in heart.

11 Let not the foot of pride overtake me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 There the workers of iniquity fall and lie prostrate; they are thrust down and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 36[a]

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.

I have a message from God in my heart
    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:[b](A)
There is no fear(B) of God
    before their eyes.(C)

In their own eyes they flatter themselves
    too much to detect or hate their sin.(D)
The words of their mouths(E) are wicked and deceitful;(F)
    they fail to act wisely(G) or do good.(H)
Even on their beds they plot evil;(I)
    they commit themselves to a sinful course(J)
    and do not reject what is wrong.(K)

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness(L) to the skies.(M)
Your righteousness(N) is like the highest mountains,(O)
    your justice like the great deep.(P)
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.(Q)
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!(R)
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.(S)
They feast on the abundance of your house;(T)
    you give them drink from your river(U) of delights.(V)
For with you is the fountain of life;(W)
    in your light(X) we see light.

10 Continue your love(Y) to those who know you,(Z)
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.(AA)
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked(AB) drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!(AC)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 36:1 In Hebrew texts 36:1-12 is numbered 36:2-13.
  2. Psalm 36:1 Or A message from God: The transgression of the wicked / resides in their hearts.