Psalms 36

Psalm 36

Human Wickedness and God’s Love

For the choir director. Of David, the Lord’s servant.

¹An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked person: Dread of God has no effect on him.²

³For with his flattering opinion of himself, he does not discover and hate his iniquity.⁴

⁵The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good.⁶

⁷Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. He sets himself on a path that is not good, and he does not reject evil.⁸

⁹Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven, your faithfulness to the clouds.¹⁰

¹¹Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your judgments like the deepest sea. Lord, you preserve people and animals.¹²

¹³How priceless your faithful love is, God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.¹⁴

¹⁵They are filled from the abundance of your house. You let them drink from your refreshing stream.¹⁶

¹⁷For the wellspring of life is with you. By means of your light we see light.¹⁸

¹⁹Spread your faithful love over those who know you, and your righteousness over the upright in heart.²⁰

²¹Do not let the foot of the arrogant come near me or the hand of the wicked drive me away.²²

²³There! The evildoers have fallen. They have been thrown down and cannot rise.²⁴