Psalms
Chapter 36
This psalm sets two pictures side by side. First it describes a person who has no fear of God: he lies to himself, plans harm in bed, and refuses to turn from evil. Then it turns to God, whose faithful love reaches the sky and whose care covers people and animals alike. It closes with a request for protection from proud and cruel people.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
1Deep in my heart I understand this about the sin of a wicked person: he has no fear of God at all.
The KJV says the wicked person's sin "saith within my heart." It means the writer has come to a settled understanding about that person, not that sin is speaking to him.
2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
2He thinks so well of himself that he never notices his own sin, and never hates it.
3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
3Everything he says is wicked and dishonest. He has stopped being wise and stopped doing good.
4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
4Even lying in bed, he plans ways to hurt people. He chooses a bad path and refuses to turn from evil.
"Mischief" in the KJV does not mean small trouble or pranks. It means real harm done on purpose.
5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
5LORD, your faithful love reaches as high as the sky. You keep your promises as far up as the clouds.
6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
6You always do right, like the tallest mountains. Your decisions run deep, like the sea. LORD, you keep both people and animals alive.
7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
7God, your faithful love is worth more than anything. So people come to you for safety, the way chicks hide under a bird's wings.
8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
8They eat their fill of the rich food in your house. You give them drink from your river of good things.
"Fatness of thy house" sounds odd today. In 1611 it meant the richest, best food at a feast.
9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
9The spring that gives life is with you. In your light we are able to see light.
10O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
10Keep on loving the people who know you. Keep doing right for those whose hearts are honest.
11Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
11Do not let proud people trample me. Do not let wicked people drive me away.
12There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
12Look, there the people who do evil have fallen. They are knocked down and cannot get up.
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