Psalm 36
Sin apeaks to the wicked his heart. He has no fear of or respect for God. He thinks too much of himself. He doesn't see his sin and gate it. His words are wicked lies. He is no longer wise or good. At night he makes evil plans. What he does leads to nothing good. He doesn't refuse things that are evil. Lord, your love reaches to the heavens. Your loyalty goes to the skies. Your goodness is as high as the mountains. Your justice is as deep as the great ocean. Lord, you protect both men and animals. God, your love is so prescious! You protect people as a bird protects her young under her wings. They eat the rich food in your house. You let them drink from your river of pleasure. You are the giver of life. Your light lets us enjoy life. Continue to love those who know you. And continue to do good to those who are good. Don't let proud people attack me. Don't let the wicked force me away. Those who do evil have been defeated. They are overwhelmed; they cannot do evil any longer.
Psalm 37
Don't be upset because of evil people. Don't be jealous of theose who do wrong. Like the grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die away. Trust the Lord and do good. Live in the land and enjoy its safety. Enjoy serving the Lord. Trust him, and he will take care of you. Then your goodness will shine like the sun. Your fairness will shine like the noonday sun. Wait and trust the Lord. Don't be upset when others get rich or when soneone else's plans succeed. Don't get angry. Don't be upset; it only leads to trouble. Evil people will be sent away. But people who trust the Lord will inherit the land. In a little while there will be no more wicked people. You may look for them, but they will be gone. People who are not proud will inherit the land. They will enjoy complete peace. The wicked make evil plans against good people. They grind their teeth at them in anger. But the Lord laughs at the wicked. He sees that their day is coming. They wicked draw their swords. They bend their bows. They try to kill the poor and helpless. They want to kill those who are honest. But their swords will stab their own hearts. Their bows will break. It's better to have little and be right than to have much and be wrong. The power of the wicked will be broken. But the Lord supports those who do right. The Lord watches over the lives of the innocent. Their reward will last forever. They will not be ashamed when trouble comes. They will be full in times of hunger. But the wicked will die. The Lord's enemies will be like the flowers of the fields. They will will disappear like smoke. The wicked people borrow but don't pay back. But those who do right give freely to others. Those people the Lord blesses will inherit the land. But those he curses will be sent away. When a man's steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with his ways. If he stumbles, he will not fall, because the Lord holds his hand. I was young, and now I am old. But I have never seen the Lord leave good people helpless. I have never seen their children begging for food. Good people always lend freely to others. And their children are a blessing. Stop doing evil and do good. Then you will live forever. The Lord loves justice. He will not leave those who worship him. He will always protect them. But the children of the wicked will die. Good people will inherit the land. They will live in it forever. A good person speaks with wisdom. He says what is fair. The teachings of his God are in his heart. HE does not fail to keep the,. The wicked watch for good people. They want to kill them. The Lord will not take away his protection. He will not judge good people guilty. Wait for the Lord's help and follow him. He will honor you and give you the land. And you will see the wicked people sent away. I saw a wicked and cruel man. He looked strong like healthy tree in good soil. But he died and was gone. I looked for him, but he couldn't be found. Think of the innocent person. Watch the honest one. The man who has peace will have children to live after him. But sinners will be destroyed. In the end the wicked will die. The Lord saves good people. He is their strong city in times of trouble. The Lord hleps them and saves them. He saves them from the wicked because they trust in him for protection.
Psalm 38
Lord, don't correct me when you are angry. Don't punish me when you are very angry. Your arrows have wounded me. Your hand has come down on me. My body is sick from your punishment. Even my bones are not healthy because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me. Like a load it weighs me down. My sore stink and become infected because I was foolish. I am bent over and bowed down. I am sad all day long. I am burning with fever. My whole body is sore. I am weak and faint. I moan from the pain I feel. Lord, you know everything I want. My cries are not hidden from you. My heart pounds, and my strength is gone. I am losing my sight. Because of my wounds, my friends and neighbors leave me alone. My relatives stay far away. Some people set traps to kill me. Those who want to hurt me plan trouble. All day long they think up lies. I am like a deaf man; I cannot hear. Like a mute, I cannot speak. I am like a person who does not hear. I have no answer to give. I trust you, Lord. You will answer, my God and Lord. I said, "Don't let them laugh at me. Don't let them brag when I am defeated." I am about to die. I cannot forgt my pain. I confess my guilt. I am troubled by my sin. My enemies are strong and healthy. Many epople hate me for no reason. They repay me whith evil for the good I did. They lie about me because I try to do good. Lord, don't leave me. My God, don't go away. Quickly come and help me, my Lord and Savior.
Psalm 39
I said, "I will be careful how I act. I will not sin by what I say. I will be careful what I say around wicked people." So I kept very quiet. I didn't even say anything good. But I became even more upset. I became very angry inside. And the more I thought about it, the angrier I became. So I spoke: "Lord, tell me when the end will come. How long will I live? Let me know how long I have. You have given me only a short life. My lifetime is like nothing to you. Everyone's life is only a breath. A preson is like a shadow moving about. All his work is for nothing. He collects things, but he doesn't know who will get them. "So, Lord, what hope do I have? You are my hope. Save me from all my sins. Don't let wicked fools make fun of me. I am quiet. I do not open my mouth. You are the one who has done this. Quit punishing me. Your beating is about to kill me. You correct and punish people for their sins. Like a moth, you destoy what they love. Everyone's life is only a breath. "Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry. Do not ignore my tears. I am like a visitor with you. Like my ancestors, I'm only here a short time. Leave me alone so I can be happy. Soon I will leave and be no more."
Psalm 40
I waited for patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud. He stood me on a rock. He made my feet steady. He put a new song in my mouth. It was a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord. Happy is the person who trust the Lord. He doesn't turn to those who are proud, to those who worship false gods. Lord our God, you have done many miracles. You plans for us are many. If I tried to tell them all, there would be too many to count. You do not want sacrifices and offerings. But you have made a hole in my ear to show that my body and life are yours. You do not ask for burnt offerings and offerings to take away sins. Then I said, "Look, I have come. It is written about me in the book. My God, I want to do what you want. Your teachings are in my heart." I will tell about your goodness in the great meeting of your people. Lord, you know my lips are not silent. I do not hide your goodness in my heart. I speak about your loyalty and salvation. I do not hide your love and truth from the poeple in the great meeting. Lord, do not hold back your mercy from me. Let your love and truth always protect me. Troubles have gathered around me. There aer too many to count. My sins have caught me. I cannot see a way to escape. I have more sins than hairs on my head. I have lost my courage. Please, Lord, save me. Hurry, Lord, to help me. People are trying to kill me. Shame them and disgrace them. People want to hurt me. Let them run away in disgrace. People are making fun of me. Let them be shamed into silence. But let those who follow you be happy and glad. They love you for saving them. May they always say, "Praise the Lord!" Lord, I am poor and helpless. But please remember me. You are my helper and savior. My God, do not wait.
