Faith Daily Lectio Thursday, October 22, 2026 Morning Psalm
Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Thursday in the week of the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24)
Morning Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
O Lord, Your mercy is in the heavens. Send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 36 this morning, that I may see my sin truly and trust under the shadow of Your wings in Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Psalm 36
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.
1The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
11Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
12There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” (Psalm 36:9)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law The Psalm begins with a heart that has no fear of God: "he flattereth himself in his own eyes" (v. 2), and "he abhorreth not evil" (v. 4). We would rather see that in others than in ourselves. Yet we also flatter ourselves, and we often lie awake planning our own way instead of seeking God's.
The Gospel Against all that, David sets God's mercy: "Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds" (v. 5). In Christ that mercy has come down to earth for you. "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings" (v. 7). He feeds you from His house and gives you drink "of the river of thy pleasures" (v. 8), and in Jesus, the Light of the world, "in thy light shall we see light" (v. 9).
Prayer Lord, I confess that I have flattered myself and have not hated evil as I should. Forgive me for Jesus' sake. Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, and let me see light in Your light today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
Some mornings begin with a sense that wickedness is winning. David closes his prayer, "Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me" (v. 11). Under trial it may help to pray that verse as the day begins, and to remember that God's mercy is higher than the heavens and holds you fast.
Prayer Lord, keep pride far from me today, and let no hand remove me from You. Hold me in Your mercy and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
