Psalm 36

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. Observe here, (1.) How great is the wickedness of men! They naturally contemn God, flatter themselves in sin, and abandon themselves to falsehood and mischief, ver. 1, 4. (2.) How great is the excellency of God, in truth, in righteousness, and in mercy! And what a fountain of preservation, support, comfort, light, and life, he is to his people! ver 5-9. (3.) How, from the excellency and goodness of God, the psalmist draws encouragement, to pray for himself and other saints, and to triumph in the view of his enemies' ruin, ver. 10-12. While I sing, let me review my natural abominations and wretchedness, and try, whether the Lord hath made me a new creature, created in Christ Jesus unto good works; and whether he hath made me taste of, admire, and trust in the exceeding riches of his grace. 1 The wicked man's transgression within my heart thus says, Undoubtedly the fear of God is not before his eyes. 2 Because himself he flattereth in his own blinded eye, Until the hatefulness be found of his iniquity. 3 Words from his mouth proceeding are, fraud and iniquity: He to be wise, and to do good, hath left off utterly. 4 He mischief, lying on his bed, most cunningly doth plot: He sets himself in ways not good, ill he abhorreth not. 5 Thy mercy, Lord, is in the heav'ns; thy truth doth reach the clouds: 6 Thy justice is like mountains great; thy judgments deep as floods: Lord, thou preservest man and beast. 7 How precious is thy grace! Therefore in shadow of thy wings men's sons their trust shall place. 8 They with the fatness of thy house shall be well satisfy'd; From rivers of thy pleasures thou wilt drink to them provide. 9 Because of life the fountain pure remains alone with thee; And in that purest light of thine we clearly light shall see. 10 Thy loving-kindness unto them continue that thee know; And still on men upright in heart thy righteousness bestow. 11 Let not the foot of cruel pride come, and against me stand; And let me not removed be, Lord, by the wicked's hand. 12 There fallen are they, and ruined, that work iniquities: Cast down they are, and never shall be able to arise.