Read & explore together
The Transgression of the Wicked
Psalm 36 is a poem of sharp contrast. It begins with the wicked person’s inner problem, turns to Yahweh’s great loving kindness, and ends as a prayer for ongoing care and protection.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
Within this psalm, the speaker first describes the wicked person’s lack of fear of God, words, and chosen path. Then he praises Yahweh’s loving kindness, faithfulness, righteousness, judgments, and preserving care. The final lines ask for continued kindness and protection from the wicked.
Psalms 36:1–12Main takeaway
Psalm 36 contrasts self-deceived wickedness with God’s vast loving kindness, teaching that refuge, life, and light are found with him.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The wicked person is self-deceivedThe poem opens with an inward verdict about the wicked: there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Explanation
The poem opens with an inward verdict about the wicked: there is no fear of God before his eyes. Because he flatters himself, he does not detect and hate his sin. His mouth speaks iniquity and deceit, and he has stopped being wise and doing good.
02Evil is a chosen pathVerse 4 shows that this evil is not accidental or passing. The wicked person plots iniquity on his bed, suggesting deliberate thought even in private.
Explanation
Verse 4 shows that this evil is not accidental or passing. The wicked person plots iniquity on his bed, suggesting deliberate thought even in private. He then sets himself in a way that is not good and does not abhor evil. The psalm describes a settled direction that welcomes what should be rejected.
03God’s loving kindness is vast and life-givingThe focus then lifts from human evil to God. Yahweh’s loving kindness is in the heavens, his faithfulness reaches to the skies, and his righteousness and judgments are pictured as mountains and a great deep.
Explanation
The focus then lifts from human evil to God. Yahweh’s loving kindness is in the heavens, his faithfulness reaches to the skies, and his righteousness and judgments are pictured as mountains and a great deep. He preserves man and animal. His loving kindness is precious, giving refuge, satisfaction, life, and light.
04Praise leads into prayerBecause God is loving and righteous, the speaker asks him to continue loving kindness to those who know him and righteousness to the upright in heart.
Explanation
Because God is loving and righteous, the speaker asks him to continue loving kindness to those who know him and righteousness to the upright in heart. He also asks protection from pride and the wicked. The psalm closes with workers of iniquity fallen and unable to rise.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What keeps the wicked person from facing his sin rightly in this psalm?
Notice the lack of fear of God and the self-flattery that stops him from detecting and hating his sin.
02Which images describe God’s character and care?
Look for the pictures of heavens, skies, mountains, a great deep, wings, abundance, a river, a spring, and light.
03How does the final prayer grow out of the earlier praise?
The requests for loving kindness, righteousness, and protection match the qualities already praised in God.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 36:1–12
1A revelation is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.
3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn’t abhor evil.
5Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal.
7How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.
9For with you is the spring of life. In your light we will see light.
10Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11Don’t let the foot of pride come against me. Don’t let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.