Psalms 36

Psalm 36#sn Psalm 36. Though evil men plan to harm others, the psalmist is confident that the Lord is the just ruler of the earth who gives and sustains all life. He prays for divine blessing and protection and anticipates God’s judgment of the wicked.

For the music director; written by the Lord’s servant, David; an oracle.#tn In the Hebrew text the word נאם (“oracle”) appears at the beginning of the next verse (v. 2 in the Hebrew text because the superscription is considered v. 1). The resulting reading, “an oracle of rebellion for the wicked [is] in the midst of my heart” (cf. NIV) apparently means that the psalm, which foresees the downfall of the wicked, is a prophetic oracle about the rebellion of the wicked which emerges from the soul of the psalmist. One could translate, “Here is a poem written as I reflected on the rebellious character of evil men.” Another option, followed in the translation above, is to attach נאם (nÿ’um, “oracle”) with the superscription. For another example of a Davidic poem being labeled an “oracle,” see 2 Sam 23:1.

1An evil man is rebellious to the core. He does not fear God,

2for he is too proud to recognize and give up his sin.

3The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right.

4He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed; he is committed to a sinful lifestyle; he does not reject what is evil.

5O Lord, your loyal love reaches to the sky; your faithfulness to the clouds.

6Your justice is like the highest mountains, your fairness like the deepest sea; you preserve mankind and the animal kingdom.

7How precious is your loyal love, O God! The human race finds shelter under your wings.

8They are filled with food from your house, and you allow them to drink from the river of your delicacies.

9For you are the one who gives and sustains life.

10Extend your loyal love to your faithful followers, and vindicate the morally upright!

11Do not let arrogant men overtake me, or let evil men make me homeless!

12I can see the evildoers! They have fallen! They have been knocked down and are unable to get up!