Psalm 36

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the Servant of the LORD.

¹ An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
² For he flatters himself in his own eyes,
When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
³ The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
⁴ He devises wickedness on his bed;
He sets himself in a way that is not good;
He does not abhor evil.

⁵ Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the great mountains;
Your judgments are a great deep;
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

⁷ How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
⁸ They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
⁹ For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.

¹⁰ Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
¹¹ Let not the foot of pride come against me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
¹² There the workers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been cast down and are not able to rise.

MY PRAYER

Father, I know that the wicked despise You and Your law.
They do not fear You, though they should!
They speak lies to others and even deceive themselves.
Keep me from that path, O God.
Guard my heart from evil and help me seek Your wisdom always.

I praise You, O LORD, for Your abounding mercy, faithfulness, and righteousness.
You are great in every way!
None can excel You.

Your way is lovingkindness and fullness.
You are the source of life and light.
Strengthen me, my Father;
Make me like You.
Amen.