Psalms 36:1-10

Psalm 36

1

For the music leader. Of the LORD’s servant David.

1 I know the sinful utterance of the wicked: No fear of God confronts their own eyes,

2 because in their own eyes they are slick with talk about their guilt ever being found out and despised.

3 The words of their mouths are evil and dishonest. They have stopped being wise and stopped doing good.

4 They plot evil even while resting in bed! They commit themselves to a path that is no good. They don't reject what is evil.

5 But your loyal love, LORD, extends to the skies; your faithfulness reaches the clouds.

6 Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains; your justice is like the deepest sea. LORD, you save both humans and animals.

7 Your faithful love is priceless, God! Humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the bounty of your house; you let them drink from your river of pure joy.

9 Within you is the spring of life. In your light, we see light.

10 Extend your faithful love to those who know you; extend your righteousness to those whose heart is right.

Psalms 36:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, [a Psalm] of David, the servant of the Lord. This title, which the psalmist takes to himself, regards him not only as a creature, every man being the servant of the Lord as such, of right, though not in fact; but as a king, he being a minister of God for good to good men, and for evil to evil men; and also may respect him as a renewed man; and it is here used in opposition to and distinction from the wicked, who are the servants of sin and Satan, of whom he speaks in this psalm. The Syriac and Arabic versions in their titles suggest that this psalm was written when David was persecuted by Saul, and which is the sense of some interpreters; but R. Obadiah thinks Ahithophel is designed by the wicked man in it; and so it was penned on account of Absalom's rebellion.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb uncertain
• [b]. Heb uncertain