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(For the music leader by David, the Lord's servant.)

Human Sin and God's Goodness

(A) Sinners don't respect God;
    sin is all they think about.
They like themselves too much
to hate their own sins
    or even to see them.
They tell deceitful lies,
and they don't have the sense
    to live right.
Those people stay awake,
    thinking up mischief,
and they follow the wrong road,
    refusing to turn from sin.

Your love is faithful, Lord,
and even the clouds in the sky
    can depend on you.
Your decisions are always fair.
They are firm like mountains,
    deep like the sea,
and all people and animals
    are under your care.

Your love is a treasure,
and everyone finds shelter
    in the shadow of your wings.
You give your guests a feast
    in your house,
and you serve a tasty drink
    that flows like a river.
The life-giving fountain
    belongs to you,
and your light gives light
    to each of us.

10 Our Lord, keep showing love
    to everyone who knows you,
and use your power to save all
    whose thoughts please you.
11 Don't let those proud
    and merciless people
kick me around
    or chase me away.

12 Look at those wicked people!
They are knocked down,
    never to get up again.

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.