Psalm 36

New International Version

Psalm 36^[a]

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.

¹I 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)

²In their own eyes they flatter themselves
    too much to detect or hate their sin.^(D)
³The words of their mouths^(E) are wicked and deceitful;^(F)
    they fail to act wisely^(G) or do good.^(H)
⁴Even on their beds they plot evil;^(I)
    they commit themselves to a sinful course^(J)
    and do not reject what is wrong.^(K)

⁵Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness^(L) to the skies.^(M)
⁶Your righteousness^(N) is like the highest mountains,^(O)
    your justice like the great deep.^(P)
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.^(Q)
⁷How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!^(R)
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.^(S)
⁸They feast on the abundance of your house;^(T)
    you give them drink from your river^(U) of delights.^(V)
⁹For with you is the fountain of life;^(W)
    in your light^(X) we see light.

¹⁰Continue your love^(Y) to those who know you,^(Z)
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.^(AA)
¹¹May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked^(AB) drive me away.
¹²See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!^(AC)

Footnotes

Psalm 36:1 In Hebrew texts 36:1-12 is numbered 36:2-13.
Psalm 36:1 Or A message from God: The transgression of the wicked / resides in their hearts.

Psalm 39

New International Version

Psalm 39^[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

¹I said, “I will watch my ways^(A)
    and keep my tongue from sin;^(B)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth^(C)
    while in the presence of the wicked.”
²So I remained utterly silent,^(D)
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish^(E) increased;
³    my heart grew hot^(F) within me.
While I meditated,^(G) the fire^(H) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;^(I)
    let me know how fleeting^(J) my life is.^(K)
⁵You have made my days^(L) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,^(M)
    even those who seem secure.^[b]

⁶“Surely everyone goes around^(N) like a mere phantom;^(O)
in vain they rush about,^(P) heaping up wealth^(Q)
without knowing whose it will finally be.^(R)

⁷“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you.^(S)
⁸Save me^(T) from all my transgressions;^(U)
    do not make me the scorn^(V) of fools.
⁹I was silent;^(W) I would not open my mouth,^(X)
    for you are the one who has done this.^(Y)
¹⁰Remove your scourge from me;
    I am overcome by the blow^(Z) of your hand.^(AA)
¹¹When you rebuke^(AB) and discipline^(AC) anyone for their sin,
    you consume^(AD) their wealth like a moth^(AE)—
    surely everyone is but a breath.^(AF)

¹²“Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;^(AG)
    do not be deaf^(AH) to my weeping.^(AI)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,^(AJ)
    a stranger,^(AK) as all my ancestors were.^(AL)
¹³Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”^(AM)

Footnotes

Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.