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Psalm 36

Human Wickedness and Divine Goodness

To the leader. Of David, the servant of the Lord.
¹ Transgression speaks to the wicked
   deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God
   before their eyes.
² For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
   that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
³ The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
   they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
⁴ They plot mischief while on their beds;
   they are set on a way that is not good;
   they do not reject evil.

⁵ Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
   your judgements are like the great deep;
   you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

⁷ How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
   All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ They feast on the abundance of your house,
   and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
⁹ For with you is the fountain of life;
   in your light we see light.

¹⁰ O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
   and your salvation to the upright of heart!
¹¹ Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
   or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
¹² There the evildoers lie prostrate;
   they are thrust down, unable to rise.

Psalm 39

Prayer for Wisdom and Forgiveness

To the leader: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
¹ I said, ‘I will guard my ways
   that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
   as long as the wicked are in my presence.’
² I was silent and still;
   I held my peace to no avail;
my distress grew worse,
³   my heart became hot within me.
While I mused, the fire burned;
   then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴ ‘Lord, let me know my end,
   and what is the measure of my days;
   let me know how fleeting my life is.
⁵ You have made my days a few handbreadths,
   and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight.
Surely everyone stands as a mere breath.
          Selah
⁶   Surely everyone goes about like a shadow.
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
   they heap up, and do not know who will gather.

⁷ ‘And now, O Lord, what do I wait for?
   My hope is in you.
⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions.
   Do not make me the scorn of the fool.
⁹ I am silent; I do not open my mouth,
   for it is you who have done it.
¹⁰ Remove your stroke from me;
   I am worn down by the blows^* of your hand.

¹¹ ‘You chastise mortals
   in punishment for sin,
consuming like a moth what is dear to them;
   surely everyone is a mere breath.
          Selah

¹² ‘Hear my prayer, O Lord,
   and give ear to my cry;
   do not hold your peace at my tears.
For I am your passing guest,
   an alien, like all my forebears.
¹³ Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again,
   before I depart and am no more.’