Psalm 36

Human Wickedness and God’s Love

For the choir director. A psalm of David, the Lord’s servant.

1 An * oracle within my heart

concerning the transgression of the wicked person:

There is no dread of God before his eyes, k

2 for in his own eyes he flatters himself too much

to discover and hate his sin. l

3 The words of his mouth are malicious and deceptive; m

he has stopped acting wisely and doing good. n

4 Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. o

He sets himself on a path that is not good

and does not reject evil. p

5 Lord, Your faithful love reaches to heaven,

Your faithfulness to the clouds. q

6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains;

Your judgments, like the deepest sea. r

Lord, You preserve man and beast. s

7 God, Your faithful love is so valuable

that * people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. t

8 They are filled from the abundance of Your house;

You let them drink from Your refreshing stream, u

9 for with You is life’s fountain. v

In Your light we will see light. w

10 Spread Your faithful love over those who know You,

and Your righteousness over the upright in heart. x

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

or the hand of the wicked one drive me away. y

12 There the evildoers fall;

they have been thrown down and cannot rise. z