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Psalms 36

BSB·12 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1An oracleנְאֻֽם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → is inבְּקֶ֣רֶבbə·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → my heartלִבִּ֑יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → regarding the transgressionפֶּ֣שַׁעpe·ša‘ — Willful rebellion or transgression against God's lawH6588 — Full Word Study → of the wicked manלָ֭רָשָׁעlā·rā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →: There is noאֵֽין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → fearפַּ֥חַדpa·ḥaḏ — dread, terror, overwhelming fearH6343 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → beforeלְנֶ֣גֶדlə·ne·ḡeḏ — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study → his eyesעֵינָֽיו׃‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 2Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → his eyesבְּעֵינָ֑יוbə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → are too full of conceitהֶחֱלִ֣יקhe·ḥĕ·lîq — to divide, distribute, or apportion; to be smooth or flatterH2505 — Full Word Study → to detectלִמְצֹ֖אlim·ṣō — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → or hateלִשְׂנֹֽא׃liś·nō — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → his own sinעֲוֺנ֣וֹ‘ă·wō·nōw — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →. 3The wordsדִּבְרֵי־diḇ·rê- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of his mouthפִ֭יוp̄îw — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → are wickedאָ֣וֶן’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study → and deceitfulוּמִרְמָ֑הū·mir·māh — deceit, treachery, or cunning deceptionH4820 — Full Word Study →; he has ceasedחָדַ֖לḥā·ḏal — to cease, stop, or desist from an actionH2308 — Full Word Study → to be wiseלְהַשְׂכִּ֣ילlə·haś·kîl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → and well-doing. 4Even onעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his bedמִשְׁכָּ֫ב֥וֹmiš·kā·ḇōw — bed, sleeping place, or couchH4904 — Full Word Study → he plotsיַחְשֹׁ֗בyaḥ·šōḇ — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → wickednessאָ֤וֶן׀’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study →; he sets himselfיִ֭תְיַצֵּבyiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ — To stand, take a stand, present oneselfH3320 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → a pathדֶּ֣רֶךְde·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → that is notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → goodט֑וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →; he failsלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to rejectיִמְאָֽס׃yim·’ās — to reject, despise, or spurn with contemptH3988 — Full Word Study → evilרָ֝֗עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 5Your loving devotionחַסְדֶּ֑ךָḥas·de·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, reaches to the heavensבְּהַשָּׁמַ֣יִםbə·haš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, Your faithfulnessאֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗’ĕ·mū·nā·ṯə·ḵā — Faithfulness, steadfastness, reliabilityH530 — Full Word Study → toעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the cloudsשְׁחָקִֽים׃šə·ḥā·qîm — cloud; dust; heaven; skyH7834 — Full Word Study →. 6Your righteousnessצִדְקָֽתְךָ֨׀ṣiḏ·qā·ṯə·ḵā — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → is like the highestאֵ֗ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → mountainsכְּֽהַרְרֵי־kə·har·rê- — mountain, hill, elevated terrainH2042 — Full Word Study →; Your judgments are like the deepest seaתְּה֣וֹםtə·hō·wm — the deep, abyss, primordial watersH8415 — Full Word Study →. O LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, You preserveתוֹשִׁ֣יעַṯō·wō·šî·a‘ — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → manאָ֤דָֽם־’ā·ḏām- — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → and beastוּבְהֵמָ֖הū·ḇə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →. 7Howמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → preciousיָּקָ֥רyā·qār — precious, valuable, honoredH3368 — Full Word Study → is Your loving devotionחַסְדְּךָ֗ḥas·də·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, that the childrenוּבְנֵ֥יū·ḇə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of menאָדָ֑ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → take refugeיֶחֱסָיֽוּן׃ye·ḥĕ·sā·yūn — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study → in the shadowבְּצֵ֥לbə·ṣêl — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study → of Your wingsכְּ֝נָפֶ֗יךָkə·nā·p̄e·ḵā — wing; edge, border, cornerH3671 — Full Word Study →! 8They feast onיִ֭רְוְיֻןyir·wə·yun — To saturate, drench, or fully satisfyH7301 — Full Word Study → the abundanceמִדֶּ֣שֶׁןmid·de·šen — Ashes; residue of fire; fatness or richnessH1880 — Full Word Study → of Your houseבֵּיתֶ֑ךָbê·ṯe·ḵā — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, and You give them drinkתַשְׁקֵֽם׃ṯaš·qêm — To water, give drink, irrigateH8248 — Full Word Study → from Your riverוְנַ֖חַלwə·na·ḥal — A stream or winter torrent; a narrow valleyH5158 — Full Word Study → of delightsעֲדָנֶ֣יךָ‘ă·ḏā·ne·ḵā — Pleasure, delight, luxury, or pleasantnessH5730 — Full Word Study →. 9Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → with Youעִ֭מְּךָ‘im·mə·ḵā — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → is the fountainמְק֣וֹרmə·qō·wr — A spring, fountain, or source of waterH4726 — Full Word Study → of lifeחַיִּ֑יםḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →; in Your lightבְּ֝אוֹרְךָ֗bə·’ō·wr·ḵā — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study → we seeנִרְאֶה־nir·’eh- — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → lightאֽוֹר׃’ō·wr — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study →. 10Extendמְשֹׁ֣ךְmə·šōḵ — to draw, pull, extend, or prolongH4900 — Full Word Study → Your loving devotionחַ֭סְדְּךָḥas·də·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → to those who know Youלְיֹדְעֶ֑יךָlə·yō·ḏə·‘e·ḵā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →, and Your righteousnessוְ֝צִדְקָֽתְךָ֗wə·ṣiḏ·qā·ṯə·ḵā — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → to the uprightלְיִשְׁרֵי־lə·yiš·rê- — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → in heartלֵֽב׃lêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →. 11Let notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → the footרֶ֣גֶלre·ḡel — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → of the proudגַּאֲוָ֑הga·’ă·wāh — Pride, arrogance, haughtiness of spiritH1346 — Full Word Study → come against meתְּ֭בוֹאֵנִיtə·ḇō·w·’ê·nî — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →, nor the handוְיַד־wə·yaḏ- — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → drive meתְּנִדֵֽנִי׃tə·ni·ḏê·nî — to wander, flee, shake, or move awayH5110 — Full Word Study → awayאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study →. 12Thereשָׁ֣םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → the evildoersפֹּ֣עֲלֵיpō·‘ă·lê — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study → lie fallenנָ֭פְלוּnā·p̄ə·lū — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →, thrown downדֹּ֝ח֗וּdō·ḥū — to push, drive, or thrust away forcefullyH1760 — Full Word Study → and unableוְלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to riseקֽוּם׃qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 36
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Chapter Overview

Psalm 36 presents a striking contrast between the depravity of the wicked and the boundless goodness of God. The psalmist opens by observing the lawless heart of the ungodly person who has abandoned all fear of the Lord, then pivots to celebrate God's mercy, faithfulness, and lovingkindness as the true refuge of believers. This psalm moves from diagnosis of human wickedness to the prescription of divine grace, reminding us that trust in God's character is our protection against both evil and evildoers.

Verses 1–4: The Portrait of the Wicked

David begins with penetrating spiritual insight: the transgression of the wicked reveals the root problem—there is no fear of God before his eyes (v. 1). Fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom, is entirely absent. Without this reverent awe, the wicked person flatters himself (v. 2), deceiving his own heart about the seriousness of his sin until his iniquity becomes undeniably hateful—either to others or ultimately to himself.

Verses 3 and 4 paint the practical outworking: his mouth speaks iniquity and deceit because he has abandoned wisdom and goodness (v. 3), and his mind actively schemes mischief even in private moments (v. 4). Importantly, he abhorreth not evil—he has lost all moral revulsion toward sin. This is the spiritual condition of those who turn from God: a progressive hardening of conscience.

Application: This passage calls us to examine our own hearts honestly. Do we still possess a healthy fear of God? Are we guarding against the subtle flattery of self-deception and the gradual erosion of our conscience toward sin?

Verses 5–9: The Majesty and Goodness of God

Here the psalm shifts dramatically. Having shown human wickedness, David now exalts God's character. Thy mercy...is in the heavens (v. 5)—God's hesed (covenant love) is as vast and enduring as the sky itself. His faithfulness reaches to the clouds, and His righteousness is like the great mountains (v. 6): immovable, towering, and incontestable. Even His judgments are deep and unsearchable, yet He preserves both man and beast with providential care.

Verse 7 declares the excellence of God's lovingkindness, inviting the children of men to trust and find shelter under His wings. This image of protection recalls Jesus's own words (Matthew 23:37) and speaks to the security believers find in God's presence. Verses 8 and 9 overflow with abundance: satisfying fatness in God's house, a river of His pleasures, and most profoundly, the fountain of life itself—which flows from knowing God. In thy light shall we see light (v. 9) means that only through God's revelation and presence do we gain true spiritual understanding and direction.

Application: Whatever anxieties or needs we face, God's character remains unchanged and supremely sufficient. We are invited to rest in His greatness and drink deeply from His goodness.

Verses 10–12: Prayer for Continued Blessing and Final Justice

David petitions the Lord to continue His lovingkindness toward those who know Him and His righteousness toward the upright in heart (v. 10). He then prays for protection: Let not the foot of pride come against me (v. 11), asking God to prevent the proud and wicked from overthrowing him. The psalm concludes with confidence in God's justice: the workers of iniquity have already fallen and will not be able to rise (v. 12). This is not vindictive gloating but rather assurance that God's moral order will ultimately prevail.

Application: Like David, we may pray boldly for God's protection and rest assured that wickedness does not have the final word. Our prayer is neither for revenge but for God's righteous order to be established.

Application for Today

Psalm 36 teaches us to recognize both the seriousness of sin's deceitfulness and the sufficiency of God's grace. When tempted to compromise our integrity or when we see wickedness flourishing, we must remember that the fear of God is our foundation, and God's lovingkindness is our sure refuge. Our security lies not in our own strength but in trusting the One whose mercy reaches to the heavens.

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