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Psalm 36[a]

Human Wickedness and Divine Providence

For the leader. Of David, the servant of the Lord.

I

Sin directs the heart of the wicked man;
    his eyes are closed to the fear of God.(A)
For he lives with the delusion:
    his guilt will not be known and hated.[b]
Empty and false are the words of his mouth;
    he has ceased to be wise and do good.
On his bed he hatches plots;
    he sets out on a wicked way;
    he does not reject evil.(B)

II

[c]Lord, your mercy reaches to heaven;
    your fidelity, to the clouds.(C)
Your justice is like the highest mountains;
    your judgments, like the mighty deep;
    human being and beast you sustain, Lord.
How precious is your mercy, O God!
    The children of Adam take refuge in the shadow of your wings.[d](D)
They feast on the rich food of your house;
    from your delightful stream(E) you give them drink.
10 For with you is the fountain of life,(F)
    and in your light we see light.(G)
11 Show mercy on those who know you,
    your just defense to the upright of heart.
12 Do not let the foot of the proud overtake me,
    nor the hand of the wicked disturb me.
13 There make the evildoers fall;
    thrust them down, unable to rise.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 36 A Psalm with elements of wisdom (Ps 36:2–5), the hymn (Ps 36:6–10), and the lament (Ps 36:11–13). The rule of sin over the wicked (Ps 36:2–5) is contrasted with the rule of divine love and mercy over God’s friends (Ps 36:6–10). The Psalm ends with a prayer that God’s guidance never cease (Ps 36:11–12).
  2. 36:3 Hated: punished by God.
  3. 36:6–7 God actively controls the entire world.
  4. 36:8 The shadow of your wings: metaphor for divine protection. It probably refers to the winged cherubim in the holy of holies in the Temple, cf. 1 Kgs 6:23–28, 32; 2 Chr 3:10–13; Ez 1:4–9.

Al director musical. De David, el siervo del Señor.

36 Dice el pecador:
    «Ser impío lo llevo en el corazón».[a]
No hay temor de Dios
    delante de sus ojos.
Cree que merece alabanzas
    y no halla aborrecible su pecado.
Sus palabras son inicuas y engañosas;
    ha perdido el buen juicio
    y la capacidad de hacer el bien.
Aun en su lecho trama hacer el mal;
    se aferra a su mal camino
    y persiste en la maldad.

Tu amor, Señor, llega hasta los cielos;
    tu fidelidad alcanza las nubes.
Tu justicia es como las altas montañas;[b]
    tus juicios, como el gran océano.

Tú, Señor, cuidas de hombres y animales;
    ¡cuán precioso, oh Dios, es tu gran amor!
Todo ser humano halla refugio
    a la sombra de tus alas.
Se sacian de la abundancia de tu casa;
    les das a beber de tu río de deleites.
Porque en ti está la fuente de la vida,
    y en tu luz podemos ver la luz.

10 Extiende tu amor a los que te conocen,
    y tu justicia a los rectos de corazón.
11 Que no me aplaste el pie del orgulloso,
    ni me desarraigue la mano del impío.

12 Ved cómo fracasan los malvados:
    ¡caen a tierra, y ya no pueden levantarse!

Footnotes

  1. 36:1 Dice el … corazón» (lectura probable); Oráculo del pecado al malvado en medio de mi corazón (TM).
  2. 36:6 las altas montañas. Alt. las montañas de Dios.
'תהילים 36 ' not found for the version: Habrit Hakhadasha/Haderekh.

Psalm 36[a]

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

I 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)

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

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

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

Footnotes

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