Psalm 36

(For the worship leader: Of David, God’s right hand man)

I hear God in my heart,
Teaching me
The source of sin:
Not taking God seriously,
Living as if he doesn’t exist.

A self-life
Is a surface life,
A shiny life
Blind to the soul-crushing
Consequences of sin.
A twisted soul produces
Twisted words.
Wisdom drains through the cracks
In the heart.
Even sleeping isn’t safe,
As godless plans invade dreams,
Setting the course
For sinful days.
Wrong isn’t rejected,
But embraced,
Cherished.

In contrast to the small life
Of sin,
Your love-shaped life, Yahweh,
Is expansive,
Vast,
Extending beyond the limits
Of the universe.
From the frozen peaks
Of the highest mountains,
You shout your commitment
To doing what’s right.
In the murky mystery
Of the deepest oceans,
You whisper your commitment
To searching out justice.
Every creature is in your care,
Human and beast alike.

Empty every bank vault
And it’s pocket change
Next to the riches
Of your relentless, never-stopping love.
Countless crowds
Have found warmth and protection
Sheltered by your eagle wings.
They feast at your overflowing table.
They drink from the firehose
Of your favor.

Your life is a waterfall,
Pouring down on us,
Filling us beyond full.
Your light is pure,
Bright,
Warm,
Helping us to see things
As they really are.
Keep it coming!
We who know you
Rely on this great love.
Your right-life is the beat
Of our right-seeking hearts.

Keep away
Those who live self-lives.
Keep their grabbing fingers
From me.
Rejecting your light,
They fall.
Rejecting your life,
They die.