Psalm 36

Human Wickedness and God’s Love

For the choir director. Of David, the Lord’s servant.

An oracle within my heart
concerning the transgression of the wicked person:
Dread of God has no effect on him.[a](A)
For with his flattering opinion of himself,
he does not discover and hate his iniquity.(B)
The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive;(C)
he has stopped acting wisely and doing good.(D)
Even on his bed he makes malicious plans.(E)
He sets himself on a path that is not good,
and he does not reject evil.(F)

Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven,
your faithfulness to the clouds.(G)
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your judgments like the deepest sea.(H)
Lord, you preserve people and animals.(I)
How priceless your faithful love is, God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.(J)
They are filled from the abundance of your house.
You let them drink from your refreshing stream.(K)
For the wellspring of life is with you.(L)
By means of your light we see light.(M)

10 Spread your faithful love over those who know you,
and your righteousness over the upright in heart.(N)
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant come near me
or the hand of the wicked drive me away.(O)
12 There! The evildoers have fallen.
They have been thrown down and cannot rise.(P)

Footnotes

  1. 36:1 Lit There is no dread of God in front of his eyes

Greeting

James,(A) a servant of God(B) and of the Lord Jesus Christ:

To the twelve tribes(C) dispersed abroad.[a](D)

Greetings.(E)

Trials and Maturity

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,(F) because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.(G) But let him ask in faith without doubting.[b] For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.[c](H)

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Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Gk diaspora; Jewish people scattered throughout Gentile lands
  2. 1:6 Or without divided loyalties
  3. 1:8 Or in all his conduct

Two Ways of Life

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(A)
and you will live many years.(B)
11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.(C)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;(D)
when you run, you will not stumble.(E)
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.(F)
Guard it, for it is your life.

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