Psalm 36

Psalm 36 belongs to Book One of the Psalms (Psalms 1–41). Its superscription reads, "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD." The "chief Musician" is understood to be the director who led the temple music. Following Psalm 35, which pleads for deliverance from enemies, this psalm contrasts the wicked with the character of God.

Structure

• Verses 1–4 describe the wicked. There is no fear of God before his eyes, and he assumes that his sin will not be exposed. His mouth speaks deceit, and even on his bed he devises mischief.
• Verses 5–9 praise God. The Lord's lovingkindness reaches to the heavens, and His faithfulness to the clouds. His righteousness is like the great mountains, His judgments are a great deep, and He preserves both man and beast. People take refuge under the shadow of His wings and are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of His house. With Him is the fountain of life.
• Verses 10–12 offer petition and assurance. The psalmist asks God to continue His lovingkindness to those who know Him and to guard him from the hand of the proud and the wicked. He declares that the workers of iniquity are fallen and shall not be able to rise.

Key Verses

• Psalm 36:1 "There is no fear of God before his eyes." Paul quotes this line in Romans 3:18 as part of his case for the sinfulness of all people.
• Psalm 36:5 "Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens." This verse celebrates God's hesed (steadfast love), the central theme of the psalm.
• Psalm 36:9 "In thy light shall we see light." The psalmist confesses that God is the source of life and light.

People and Places

• David: Named in the superscription as the author of the psalm. Scholars differ on how the authorship notations in the superscriptions should be understood.
• The house of the Lord: Mentioned in verse 8, it is understood as a reference to the sanctuary where God is worshiped.

Points for Reflection

• The Hebrew manuscripts differ in verse 1, so translations render it in different ways. The Korean Revised Version reads "within my heart," while the New Korean Revised Version reads "within his heart."
• The psalm combines a portrait of the wicked, praise, and petition. For this reason, many interpreters regard it as blending features of wisdom literature with those of a hymn of praise.
• The psalm connects with the New Testament at several points. Verse 1 is quoted in Romans 3. Christian interpreters have read the imagery of life and light in verse 9 alongside John 1:4 and John 8:12. The image of refuge in "the shadow of thy wings" in verse 7 also appears in passages such as Ruth 2:12 and Psalm 91.