Psalm 36
לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ לְעֶֽבֶד יְהוָ֬ה לְדָוִֽד
BSB
The Transgression of the Wicked
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD.
1An oracle is in my heart
regarding the transgression of the wicked man:
There is no fear of God
before his eyes.
2For his eyes are too full of conceit
to detect or hate his own sin.
3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.
4Even on his bed he plots wickedness;
he sets himself on a path that is not good;
he fails to reject evil.
5Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the clouds.
6Your righteousness is like the highest mountains;
Your judgments are like the deepest sea.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7How precious is Your loving devotion, O God,
that the children of men take refuge
in the shadow of Your wings!
8They feast on the abundance of Your house,
and You give them drink from Your river of delights.
9For with You is the fountain of life;
in Your light we see light.
10Extend Your loving devotion to those who know You,
and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11Let not the foot of the proud come against me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12There the evildoers lie fallen,
thrown down and unable to rise.
Introduction
Psalms 36
It is uncertain when, and upon what occasion, David penned this psalm, probably when he was struck at either by Saul or by Absalom; for in it he complains of the malice of his enemies against him, but triumphs in the goodness of God to him. We are here led to consider, and it will do us good to consider seriously, I. The sinfulness of sin, and how mischievous it is (Psa 36:1-4). II. The goodness of God, and how gracious he is, 1. To all his creatures in general (Psa 36:5, Psa 36:6). 2. To his own people in a special manner (Psa 36:7-9). By this the psalmist is encouraged to pray for all the saints (Psa 36:10), for himself in particular and his own preservation (Psa 36:11), and to triumph in the certain fall of his enemies (Psa 36:12). If, in singing this psalm, our hearts be duly affected with the hatred of sin and satisfaction in God's lovingkindness, we sing it with grace and understanding.
To the chief Musician. A psalm of David the servant of the Lord.
Cross-references: Ps 36:1 · Ps 36:5 · Ps 36:6 · Ps 36:7 · Ps 36:10 · Ps 36:11 · Ps 36:12