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. ^a,^b

²For with his flattering opinion of himself,

he does not discover and hate his iniquity. ^c

³The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive; ^d

he has stopped acting wisely and doing good. ^e

⁴Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. ^f

He sets himself on a path that is not good,

and he does not reject evil. ^g

⁵Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven,

your faithfulness to the clouds. ^h

⁶Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

your judgments like the deepest sea. ⁱ

Lord, you preserve people and animals. ^j

⁷How priceless your faithful love is, God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. ^k

⁸They are filled from the abundance of your house.

You let them drink from your refreshing stream. ^l

⁹For the wellspring of life is with you. ^m

By means of your light we see light. ⁿ

¹⁰Spread your faithful love over those who know you,

and your righteousness over the upright in heart. ^o

¹¹Do not let the foot of the arrogant come near me

or the hand of the wicked drive me away. ^p

¹²There! The evildoers have fallen.

They have been thrown down and cannot rise. ^q