Single lesson
Psalm 36: The Transgression of the Wicked
Psalms 36:1–12
Psalm 36 begins by describing the wicked person, then turns to direct praise of God, and ends with a prayer for help. This lesson helps children notice the speaker, the images, and the movement of the poem.
Before you teach
In this psalm, the writer first speaks about the wicked person’s attitude, words and plans. Then the writer speaks directly to God about his loving kindness, faithfulness, righteousness and care. After that, the writer asks God to continue showing loving kindness and not let pride or wickedness drive him away. The psalm closes with the fall of workers of iniquity.
Students will identify how Psalm 36 moves from speaking about ‘he’ in the description of the wicked, to speaking to ‘you’ in praise to God, to praying for ‘me’ and ‘we’, and will explain at least three images from the psalm.
Welcome: Listen for the speaker’s movement
4 minTell students they are listening for who is being spoken about and who is being spoken to. Explain that this poem changes voice as it goes. Ask them to listen for three movements: ‘he’ when the wicked person is described, ‘you’ when God is praised, and ‘me’ or ‘we’ when the writer prays and speaks personally.
Psalms 36:1, Psalms 36:5, Psalms 36:9, Psalms 36:11
Read and explain: What the writer says about the wicked
7 minRead verses 1 to 4 aloud. Help children notice that the writer speaks about the wicked person in the third person: ‘he’ and ‘his’. There is no fear of God before his eyes. He flatters himself, speaks deceit, stops doing good, and plans iniquity on his bed. Wickedness touches attitude, words, and actions.
Psalms 36:1, Psalms 36:2, Psalms 36:3, Psalms 36:4
Discuss: What the writer says to God
7 minRead verses 5 to 9. Now the poem turns to direct praise with ‘Your’ and ‘you’. List the images: heavens, skies, mountains, great deep, wings, house, river, spring, and light. These pictures express God’s loving kindness, faithfulness, righteousness, judgments, refuge, life, and light. Verse 9 also includes ‘we’, showing shared trust.
Psalms 36:5, Psalms 36:6, Psalms 36:7, Psalms 36:8, Psalms 36:9
Make and respond: Three-part prayer image card
8 minStudents make a card with three panels to match the psalm’s movement. In panel one, draw a text detail such as eyes with no fear of God, a mouth speaking deceit, or planning evil on a bed. In panel two, draw an image of God’s care such as wings, a river, or light. In panel three, write a short prayer from verses 10 to 11.
Psalms 36:1, Psalms 36:3, Psalms 36:4, Psalms 36:7, Psalms 36:8, Psalms 36:9, Psalms 36:10, Psalms 36:11
Closing: The writer’s request and the ending
4 minRead verses 10 to 12. Point out that the writer now asks for help personally: ‘Don’t let the foot of pride come against me.’ Review the whole movement of the psalm: the writer speaks about ‘he’, then praises ‘you’, then prays for ‘me’ and includes ‘we’. The final verse shows workers of iniquity fallen.
Psalms 36:9, Psalms 36:10, Psalms 36:11, Psalms 36:12
Questions to explore
How can you tell that verses 1 to 4 are speaking about the wicked person, not speaking to God?
Look for the words ‘he’ and ‘his’, and list what the writer says about the person’s eyes, mouth, and plans.
Psalms 36:1, Psalms 36:3, Psalms 36:4
Where does the psalm turn to speaking directly to God, and which images are used in that part?
Find where the words ‘Your’ and ‘you’ begin, then name the pictures in those verses such as heavens, wings, river, spring, or light.
Psalms 36:5, Psalms 36:7, Psalms 36:8, Psalms 36:9
How does the poem move from ‘he’ to ‘you’ to ‘me’ and ‘we’, and what does that show about the writer’s message?
Trace the voice from the description of the wicked, to praise of God, to the shared confession in verse 9 and the personal request in verse 11.
Psalms 36:1, Psalms 36:5, Psalms 36:9, Psalms 36:11
Make, think or respond
Three-Part Psalm Image Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or markers
- Bible text
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels.
- In the first panel, draw one detail from verses 1 to 4 about the wicked person, such as eyes with no fear of God, a mouth speaking deceit, or planning evil on a bed.
- In the second panel, draw one image from verses 5 to 9 that shows God’s character or care.
- In the third panel, write a short prayer based on verses 10 to 11.
- Invite students to explain how their three panels follow the speaker movement and order of the psalm.
This activity helps students trace the poem’s movement from describing ‘he’, to praising ‘you’, to praying for ‘me’, while using the psalm’s own images.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-write three headings on the paper: He, You, Me/We, and let them choose one simple image for each part.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include exact words from one verse in each panel and explain how the speaker changes across the psalm.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: Lord God, thank you for your loving kindness and care. Please teach us to see what is good, trust you for refuge, and ask for your help. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 36
1 A revelation is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn’t abhor evil.
5 Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal.
7 How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.
9 For with you is the spring of life. In your light we will see light.
10 Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Don’t let the foot of pride come against me. Don’t let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.