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Psalm 36

Concerning the Rebelliousness of the Wicked

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For the choir director. By the servant of the Lord. By David.

A declaration about the rebellion of the wicked is deep in my heart.[a]

The Arrogance of the Wicked

There is no dread of God before his eyes,
because he flatters himself in his own eyes
    too much to notice his guilt and to hate it.
The words from his mouth are deception and deceit.
He has given up being wise and doing good.
He plots deception even on his bed.
He sets out on a path that is not good.
He does not reject wrong.

The Goodness of God

Lord, your mercy reaches to the heavens.
Your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is as high as the mountains of God.
Your justice is as deep as the ocean.
You save both man and animal, O Lord.
How precious is your mercy, O God!
So all people[b] find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They are satisfied by the rich food of your house.
You let them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life.
In your light we see light.

Closing Prayer

10 Stretch out your mercy over those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Do not let the foot of the proud trample me.
Do not let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers have fallen.
They have been thrown down.
They are not able to rise!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 36:1 A variant found in a few Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac reads: rebellion speaks to the wicked within his heart.
  2. Psalm 36:7 Or the sons of man or the sons of Adam

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.