Psalms36
New International Version
1 I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes.
2 In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.
3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.
4 Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.
5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
10 Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!
Study
Psalms 36Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 36. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The bad state of the wicked. (1–4). The goodness of God. (5–12).
vv1-4
From this psalm our hearts should be duly affected with hatred of sin, and seek satisfaction in God's loving-kindness. Here is the root of bitterness, from which all the wickedness of wicked men comes. It takes rise from contempt of God, and the want of due regard to him. Also from the deceit they put upon their own souls. Let us daily beg of God to preserve us from self-flattery. Sin is very hurtful to the sinner himself, and therefore ought to be hateful; but it is not so. It is no marvel, if those that deceive themselves, seek to deceive all mankind; to whom will they be true, who are false to their own souls? It is bad to do mischief, but worse to devise it, to do it with plot and management. If we willingly banish holy meditations in our solitary hours, Satan will soon occupy our minds with sinful imaginations. Hardened sinners stand to what they have done, as though they could justify it before God himself.
vv5-12
Men may shut up their compassion, yet, with God we shall find mercy. This is great comfort to all believers, plainly to be seen, and not to be taken away. God does all wisely and well; but what he does we know not now, it is time enough to know hereafter. God's loving-kindness is precious to the saints. They put themselves under his protection, and then are safe and easy. Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God. The gifts of Providence so far satisfy them, that they are content with such things as they have. The benefit of holy ordinances is sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual and Divine life. But full satisfaction is reserved for the future state. Their joys shall be constant. God not only works in them a gracious desire for these pleasures, but by his Spirit fills their souls with joy and peace in believing. He quickens whom he will; and whoever will, may come, and take from him of the waters of life freely. May we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, shall separate us from his love. Faith calleth things that are not, as though they were. It carries us forward to the end of time; it shows us the Lord, on his throne of judgment; the empire of sin fallen to rise no more.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
עֶבֶד: a servant
פֶּשַׁע: a revolt (national, moral or religious)
נְאֻם: an oracle
רָשָׁע: morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
קֶרֶב: properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
אַיִן: a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle
פַּחַד: a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
Cross References
Psalms 36Paul directly quotes Psalm 36:1 to demonstrate the universal depravity and ungodliness of mankind.
Supported by John Calvin, Matthew Poole
Parallels 'thy judgments are a great deep' in describing the unsearchable depths of God's wisdom and decisions.
Supported by John Calvin, Matthew Poole
Echoes the metaphor of Yahweh as the unique and exclusive 'fountain of living waters' and life.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Shares the motif of the wicked actively plotting mischief and losing sleep to devise evil plans.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates God's merciful preservation of both 'man and beast,' extending care to animal creation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, Matthew Henry
Parallels finding safety and trust under the protective 'shadow' of God's wings.
Supported by JFB
Points to the ultimate fulfillment of the 'river of thy pleasures' in the eternal river of life.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB