Psalm 36

Dixit injustus

There is a voice of rebellion deep in the heart of the wicked; *

there is no fear of God before his eyes.

He flatters himself in his own eyes *

that his hateful sin will not be found out.

The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful, *

he has left off acting wisely and doing good.

He thinks up wickedness upon his bed

and has set himself in no good way; *

he does not abhor that which is evil.

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, *

and your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the strong mountains,

your justice like the great deep; *

you save both man and beast, O Lord.

How priceless is your love, O God! *

your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.

They feast upon the abundance of your house; *

you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the well of life, *

and in your light we see light.

Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *

and your favor to those who are true of heart.

Let not the foot of the proud come near me, *

nor the hand of the wicked push me aside.

See how they are fallen, those who work wickedness! *

they are cast down and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 39

Dixi, Custodiam

I said, “I will keep watch upon my ways, *

so that I do not offend with my tongue.

I will put a muzzle on my mouth *

while the wicked are in my presence.”

So I held my tongue and said nothing; *

I refrained from rash words;

but my pain became unbearable.

My heart was hot within me;

while I pondered, the fire burst into flame; *

I spoke out with my tongue:

Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *

so that I may know how short my life is.

You have given me a mere handful of days,

and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; *

truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.

We walk about like a shadow,

and in vain we are in turmoil; *

we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.

And now, what is my hope? *

O Lord, my hope is in you.

Deliver me from all my transgressions *

and do not make me the taunt of the fool.

I fell silent and did not open my mouth, *

for surely it was you that did it.

Take your affliction from me; *

I am worn down by the blows of your hand.

With rebukes for sin you punish us;

like a moth you eat away all that is dear to us; *

truly, everyone is but a puff of wind.

Hear my prayer, O Lord,

and give ear to my cry; *

hold not your peace at my tears.

For I am but a sojourner with you, *

a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.

Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again, *

before I go my way and am no more.