Faith Daily Lectio Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Evening Psalm
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · Tuesday in the week of the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 26)
Evening Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
O LORD, Your mercy is in the heavens. Send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 36 this evening, that I may rest under the shadow of Your wings through 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:
“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!” (Psalm 36:7)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law The Psalm describes the man who "flattereth himself in his own eyes" (v. 2) and "deviseth mischief upon his bed" (v. 4). We know that heart. At night we can replay grudges and our own schemes, as if there were "no fear of God before his eyes" (v. 1).
The Gospel Against all that stands God's faithful mercy: "Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds" (v. 5). In Christ we find refuge, for "the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings" (v. 7). "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (v. 9). Jesus is that light, and He gives His life to you.
Prayer O LORD, I confess the pride and the scheming of my heart. Forgive me for Jesus' sake. Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, and let me drink from the river of Your pleasures. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
The proud can seem strong, and the wicked secure. Under trial it may help to pray David's own words tonight: "Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me" (v. 11). The LORD keeps you, for "thou preservest man and beast" (v. 6).
Evening prayer Lord, as night falls, keep me in Your light. Guard me from pride, keep me under Your wings, and give me peaceful rest. 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.
