Psalms 36

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 36

1¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. The 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.

5¶ Thy 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 36 contrasts the pervasive wickedness of humanity with the boundless attributes of God. It describes the wicked as devoid of the fear of God, engaging in deceit and plotting evil. In stark opposition, the psalmist extols God's mercy, faithfulness, righteousness, and lovingkindness, which provide life and satisfaction to those who trust Him. The psalm concludes with a plea for divine protection and an affirmation of the ultimate downfall of the wicked.

Medium Summary

Psalm 36 begins by portraying the nature of the wicked, whose transgression reveals a complete absence of the fear of God. They deceive themselves, speak iniquity, and actively devise mischief, having abandoned wisdom and good. The psalmist then shifts focus dramatically to extol the magnificent attributes of the LORD. God's mercy extends to the heavens, His faithfulness to the clouds, His righteousness is like great mountains, and His judgments are a profound deep, demonstrating His preservation of all creation. The psalmist emphasizes God's excellent lovingkindness, which inspires trust and provides abundant satisfaction and the fountain of life to those who seek Him. The psalm concludes with a prayer for God's continued lovingkindness and righteousness upon the upright, and a plea for deliverance from the proud and the wicked, affirming their ultimate downfall and inability to rise.

Long Summary

Psalm 36 opens with a contemplation of the wicked, whose inner transgression reveals a fundamental lack of the fear of God. The psalmist observes that the wicked flatter themselves, remaining oblivious to the hateful nature of their own iniquity. Their speech is characterized by deceit and unrighteousness, as they have ceased to pursue wisdom or engage in good deeds. Furthermore, they actively plot mischief even upon their beds, setting themselves on paths that are inherently evil and showing no abhorrence for wickedness. A profound shift occurs as the psalmist turns from the depravity of man to the glorious character of God. The LORD's mercy is declared to reach the heavens, and His faithfulness extends unto the clouds, signifying His boundless and unwavering nature. His righteousness is likened to the great mountains, symbolizing its immovability and grandeur, while His judgments are described as a great deep, implying their unfathomable wisdom and justice. The psalmist acknowledges God as the preserver of both man and beast, highlighting His universal care. The excellence of God's lovingkindness is celebrated, prompting the children of men to seek refuge and trust under the shadow of His wings. Those who find solace in God are promised abundant satisfaction from the "fatness" of His house and are invited to drink from the "river of His pleasures." This is because with God is the "fountain of life," and it is in His divine light that true understanding and spiritual illumination are found. The psalm concludes with a fervent prayer, asking God to continue His lovingkindness to those who know Him and His righteousness to the upright in heart. The psalmist also petitions for protection from the oppressive foot of pride and the destructive hand of the wicked, ending with a confident declaration that the workers of iniquity will ultimately fall, cast down and unable to rise again.

Core Concepts

  • The Wicked's NatureThis concept describes the inherent godlessness of the wicked, characterized by self-deception, deceitful speech, and the active plotting of evil, stemming from a lack of the fear of God.
  • God's Boundless AttributesThis highlights the infinite nature of God's mercy (reaching heavens), faithfulness (unto clouds), righteousness (like great mountains), and judgments (a great deep), demonstrating His majestic character.
  • Divine PreservationThis emphasizes God's role as the sustainer of all creation, preserving both man and beast through His providential care and just judgments.
  • Fountain of Life and LightThis identifies God as the ultimate source of life and spiritual illumination, where true understanding and satisfaction are found by those who trust in Him.
  • Trust and Satisfaction in GodThis explains that God's excellent lovingkindness draws humanity to seek refuge under His care, leading to abundant satisfaction and pleasure for those who dwell in His presence.
  • Prayer for Protection and JusticeThis concludes with a plea for God's continued favor upon the righteous and deliverance from the proud and the wicked, affirming the ultimate downfall and inability of the unrighteous to recover.