Psalm 36 & 39

Psalm 36

1I have a message from God in my heart

concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:

There is no fear of God

before their eyes.

2In their own eyes they flatter themselves

too much to detect or hate their sin.

3The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;

they fail to act wisely or do good.

4Even on their beds they plot evil;

they commit themselves to a sinful course

and do not reject what is wrong.

5Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

6Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

your justice like the great deep.

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

7How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8They feast on the abundance of your house;

you give them drink from your river of delights.

9For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

10Continue your love to those who know you,

your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11May the foot of the proud not come against me,

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12See how the evildoers lie fallen—

thrown down, not able to rise!

Psalm 39

1I said, “I will watch my ways

and keep my tongue from sin;

I will put a muzzle on my mouth

while in the presence of the wicked.”

2So I remained utterly silent,

not even saying anything good.

But my anguish increased;

3my heart grew hot within me.

While I meditated, the fire burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

4“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

and the number of my days;

let me know how fleeting my life is.

5You have made my days a mere handbreadth;

the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,

even those who seem secure.

6“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;

in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth

without knowing whose it will finally be.

7“But now, Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.

8Save me from all my transgressions;

do not make me the scorn of fools.

9I was silent; I would not open my mouth,

for you are the one who has done this.

10Remove your scourge from me;

I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,

you consume their wealth like a moth—

surely everyone is but a breath.

12“Hear my prayer, Lord,

listen to my cry for help;

do not be deaf to my weeping.

I dwell with you as a foreigner,

a stranger, as all my ancestors were.

13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again

before I depart and am no more.”