Psalm 36:1-9

1 Sin speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; ¹ they reject God and do not have reverence for him.

2 Because they think so highly of themselves, they think that God will not discover their sin and condemn it.

3 Their speech is wicked and full of lies; they no longer do what is wise and good.

4 They make evil plans as they lie in bed; nothing they do is good, and they never reject anything evil.

5 Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is towering like the mountains; your justice is like the depths of the sea. People and animals are in your care.

7 How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings.

8 We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness.

9 You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light.

Psalm 36:1-9 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.

Cross References

• 1. 36.1Romans 3.18.

Footnotes

• [a] precious, O God, is . . . find; [or] precious is your constant love! Gods and people find.