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Wicked Men and a Good God

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

36 Sin speaks to the wicked man in his heart.
    He has no fear of or respect for God.
He thinks too much of himself.
    He doesn’t see his sin and hate it.
His words are wicked lies.
    He is no longer wise or good.
At night he makes evil plans.
    What he does leads to nothing good.
    He doesn’t refuse things that are evil.

Lord, your love reaches to the heavens.
    Your loyalty goes to the skies.
Your goodness is as high as the mountains.
    Your justice is as deep as the great ocean.
Lord, you protect both men and animals.
God, your love is so precious!
    You protect people as a bird protects her young under her wings.
They eat the rich food in your house.
    You let them drink from your river of pleasure.
You are the giver of life.
    Your light lets us enjoy life.

10 Continue to love those who know you.
    And continue to do good to those who are good.
11 Don’t let proud people attack me.
    Don’t let the wicked force me away.
12 Those who do evil have been defeated.
    They are overwhelmed; they cannot do evil any longer.

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.