Psalm 36
Psalm 36, Mercy to the Heavens
Psalm 36 is titled, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The title is significant because David is not presented here primarily as king, warrior, poet, or ruler, but as “the servant of the LORD.” That title is one of duty, humility, and covenant loyalty. David knew the honor of kingship, but he took greater pleasure in belonging to the Lord and serving Him. Psalm 36 presents a strong contrast between the wicked man and the righteous God. It begins by exposing the inner corruption of the wicked, especially the absence of the fear of God. It then turns upward to the vast mercy, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgments of the Lord. David moves from the ugliness of sin to the beauty of God, from the plotting of the wicked to the protection found under the shadow of God’s wings, and from the pride of man to the fountain of life and light found in God Himself.
A. A Contrast Between the Wicked Man and the Righteous God
Psalm 36:1 to Psalm 36:4, The Wicked Man
Psalm 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, , that there is no fear of God before his eyes.”
Psalm 36:2, “For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.”
Psalm 36:3, “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.”
Psalm 36:4, “He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
David begins with a penetrating statement, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart.” Sin speaks. The wicked man’s transgression gives testimony about what is happening inside him. His outward actions reveal inward corruption. David listens to the conduct of the wicked and hears a message. Their lives preach a dark sermon. Their sin declares that something is deeply wrong in the heart.
The phrase can also be understood as transgression speaking within the heart of the wicked man himself. Sin becomes like a false oracle whispering lies in the hidden chambers of the soul. It tells the sinner that God will not judge, that consequences will not come, that evil can be hidden, that self can be exalted, and that pleasure is worth rebellion. Sin is never silent. It speaks falsehood, and the wicked listen.
David identifies the root problem, “that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” This is the foundation of wickedness. The wicked man does not see God rightly. He does not revere Him, honor Him, submit to Him, tremble before Him, or live under the awareness of divine judgment. The absence of the fear of God explains the rest of the man’s corruption. When God is removed from a man’s sight, self takes the throne.
Paul quotes this verse in Romans as part of his indictment of mankind under sin.
Romans 3:10, “As it is written, , There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Romans 3:11, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”
Romans 3:12, “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Romans 3:18, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Paul uses Psalm 36:1 to show that this is not merely David’s observation of a few bad men. It is part of the universal corruption of fallen humanity. Apart from the grace of God, man does not fear God as he should.
The fear of God is not optional. It is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
When the fear of God is absent, wisdom collapses. A man may still be intelligent, educated, strategic, wealthy, or powerful, but he is morally foolish if he does not fear the Lord.
Verse 2 says, “For he flattereth himself in his own eyes.” This explains how the wicked man lives without fear. He lies to himself. Flattery is normally thought of as something another person says, but David shows that a man can flatter himself. He can tell himself he is better than he is. He can excuse sin, minimize guilt, redefine rebellion, and convince himself that judgment will not come.
Self flattery is deadly. A man can call his sin small, understandable, justified, private, or harmless. He can say his intentions are good. He can compare himself to worse men. He can cover evil with outward religion or public respectability. But none of those excuses change the truth before God. Self flattery blinds the sinner and smooths the road to destruction.
David says this continues “until his iniquity be found to be hateful.” The wicked man may flatter himself for a time, but eventually the hateful nature of his iniquity is exposed. Sin may be hidden, excused, or glamorized temporarily, but it will be revealed for what it is. It is hateful before God, destructive to the soul, and poisonous to others.
The language also suggests that the sinner himself does not properly hate his sin. Instead, he flatters himself while continuing in it. A spiritually healthy man hates evil because it is evil. The wicked man does not. He hates exposure more than sin. He hates consequences more than corruption. He hates being found out more than he hates offending God.
Verse 3 says, “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit.” The inner lack of fear becomes visible in speech. The wicked man’s mouth reveals his heart. His words are morally crooked and deceptive. Iniquity and deceit often travel together. When a man gives himself to sin, he often uses deceit to protect it. Lies become armor for wickedness.
This is consistent with the teaching of Christ.
Matthew 12:34, “O generation of vipers, , how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Matthew 12:35, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”
The mouth is not detached from the heart. Wicked speech reveals wickedness within.
David continues, “he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.” This is tragic. The wicked man has ceased from wisdom and goodness. Sin does not merely add bad behavior to a man’s life. It removes wisdom. It stops good action. It makes the man less capable of seeing reality rightly and less willing to do what is right. Wickedness is not growth. It is decay.
Verse 4 says, “He deviseth mischief upon his bed.” The wicked man is not merely stumbling into evil. He is planning it. Even on his bed, when the day’s work is done and the mind has opportunity for reflection, he devises mischief. His private thoughts are occupied with evil. This is the opposite of the godly man in Psalm 1, who meditates in God’s law day and night.
Psalm 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
The godly man uses quiet hours to meditate on God’s Word. The wicked man uses quiet hours to invent sin. What a man thinks about when no one is watching reveals much about his heart.
David says, “he setteth himself in a way that is not good.” The wicked man is not merely near a wrong path. He sets himself there. He takes his stand in a way that is not good. This speaks of settled direction, chosen habit, and stubborn commitment. He is not drifting accidentally. He has placed himself in rebellion.
The verse ends, “he abhorreth not evil.” This is a serious indictment. It is not enough for a man to occasionally avoid evil when it is inconvenient. The righteous must abhor evil. The wicked man does not. He tolerates it, excuses it, admires it, practices it, defends it, or even celebrates it. A man’s moral condition is revealed not only by what he does, but by what he refuses to hate.
Scripture commands hatred of evil.
Romans 12:9, “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
The wicked man does the opposite. He does not abhor evil, and therefore evil becomes familiar, acceptable, and finally loved.
This section gives a complete portrait of wickedness. Its root is no fear of God. Its inner method is self flattery. Its speech is iniquity and deceit. Its wisdom has ceased. Its private imagination devises mischief. Its life direction is a way that is not good. Its moral taste no longer hates evil. David exposes the inner machinery of rebellion.
Psalm 36:5 to Psalm 36:6, The Good and Righteous God
Psalm 36:5, “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.”
Psalm 36:6, “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.”
David now turns from the wicked man to the righteous God. The contrast is sharp and refreshing. He has looked long enough at the ugliness of sin. Now he lifts his eyes to the Lord. Verse 5 says, “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens.” The word translated “mercy” carries the idea of covenant love, lovingkindness, steadfast mercy, loyal love, and faithful goodness. David says this mercy reaches to the heavens. It is vast, high, immeasurable, and beyond human calculation.
The wicked man’s thoughts are low and corrupt, but God’s mercy is high and glorious. Man’s sin is deep, but God’s mercy is higher still. David uses the heavens because he needs the greatest visible expanse to describe the greatness of God’s mercy. The mercy of the Lord is not thin, fragile, or easily exhausted. It stretches beyond human provocation.
David continues, “and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.” God’s faithfulness is as high and visible as the clouds. He is reliable, constant, true to His Word, and faithful to His covenant. Unlike wicked men, whose words are iniquity and deceit, the Lord’s faithfulness never fails. He does not flatter. He does not deceive. He does not forget. He does not change His promises.
This is a major comfort to God’s people. Human faithfulness can fail. Friends may betray. Leaders may compromise. Family may disappoint. Even the believer himself may be inconsistent. But God’s faithfulness reaches to the clouds. It is greater than the failure of men.
Lamentations 3:22, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”
Lamentations 3:23, “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
The mercy and faithfulness of God are the believer’s stability in a world full of wickedness.
Verse 6 says, “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains.” God’s righteousness is firm, majestic, unmovable, and weighty. The great mountains stand above the landscape, solid and enduring. So the righteousness of God stands above all human moral confusion. It cannot be moved by man’s opinion. It is not reshaped by culture. It is not diminished by wickedness. God’s righteousness is stable.
David then says, “thy judgments are a great deep.” God’s judgments are deep, profound, and beyond man’s full searching. The great deep suggests vast waters, mysterious depths, and immeasurable wisdom. God’s judgments are not shallow. They are wise beyond human sight. Man does not always understand what God is doing, but God’s judgments are righteous, true, and deep.
Paul speaks similarly of the depth of God’s wisdom.
Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! , how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
Romans 11:34, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?”
The believer must learn humility before the judgments of God. We can trust His righteousness even when we cannot measure the depths of His judgments.
David closes verse 6 with, “O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.” God’s goodness is not abstract. It is shown in His preserving care over creation. He sustains human life and animal life. He provides, governs, feeds, and preserves the creatures He has made. This reflects common grace. Even in a fallen world, God preserves life.
Psalm 104:27, “These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.”
Psalm 104:28, “That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.”
God’s mercy is in the heavens, His faithfulness reaches the clouds, His righteousness is like mountains, His judgments are a great deep, and His preserving care reaches man and beast. This is the God David worships after considering the wickedness of man.
B. Looking to the God of Mercy for Help Against Wicked Men
Psalm 36:7 to Psalm 36:9, Thanks for the Goodness of God Toward His People
Psalm 36:7, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”
Psalm 36:8, “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.”
Psalm 36:9, “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”
David now moves from the vastness of God’s attributes to the personal preciousness of God’s lovingkindness. He says, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!” The word “excellent” carries the sense of precious, valuable, weighty, and treasured. God’s lovingkindness is not only great in size, like the heavens, it is precious to the heart of the believer. It is too good to be neglected, too valuable to be traded, and too personal to be treated as theory.
David has already said that God’s mercy is in the heavens. Now he says that this lovingkindness is excellent. Both are true. It is vast beyond comprehension, and it is precious in personal experience. The believer must hold both together. God’s love is too great to measure and too good to let slip.
David says, “therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.” Because God’s lovingkindness is precious, men can take refuge in Him. The image of the shadow of God’s wings communicates protection, nearness, tenderness, and safety. It may point to the wings of the cherubim over the mercy seat, where God’s covenant presence was represented. It may also picture a mother bird sheltering her young beneath her wings. Both images teach refuge under God’s gracious protection.
Ruth was blessed with this same imagery.
Ruth 2:12, “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, , under whose wings thou art come to trust.”
Jesus also used this image when grieving over Jerusalem.
Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, , thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, , how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, , and ye would not!”
The tragedy of Jerusalem was not that no refuge was offered, but that they refused the refuge. Psalm 36 says the children of men may trust under the shadow of God’s wings. God is a refuge for those who come to Him.
Verse 8 says, “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house.” This is the language of rich provision. God is not a stingy host. His house is full. His provision satisfies abundantly. The “fatness” of His house speaks of the best portion, the richness, fullness, and abundance of divine blessing.
This does not mean every believer receives earthly luxury. David is speaking of the fullness found in God’s presence and fellowship. The world offers temporary pleasures that leave the soul empty. God gives satisfaction that reaches the deepest needs of man. His house has enough for every hungry soul.
David continues, “and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.” This is a striking phrase. God has pleasures, and He gives His people to drink from them like a river. The pleasures of God are not shallow, sinful, or poisonous. They are pure, holy, life giving, and abundant. The world’s pleasures often intoxicate and destroy. God’s pleasures satisfy and heal.
This verse corrects the false idea that godliness is essentially joyless. True faith has gravity, reverence, sorrow over sin, discipline, and seriousness, but it also has deep joy. The pleasures found in God are far richer than the pleasures of sin.
Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; , at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
The river of God’s pleasures flows from His presence. The believer is not called away from joy, but away from false joy into true joy.
Verse 9 gives the foundation, “For with thee is the fountain of life.” God is not merely a giver of life. He is the fountain of life. Life flows from Him as water flows from a spring. All physical life, spiritual life, and eternal life come from God. Man has no independent life. He receives life from the living God.
The fountain image speaks of source, abundance, purity, and freshness. Water is sweetest at the fountain because it is nearest the source. In the same way, life is fullest when found in God Himself. The farther a man runs from God, the farther he runs from life.
The New Testament reveals this life fully in Christ.
John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: , I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Christ is not merely an instructor about life. He is life. He gives abundant life to His people.
David closes verse 9, “in thy light shall we see light.” God is the source of true light. We cannot see reality rightly apart from Him. His light enables us to see all other things correctly. Without God’s light, man may see physical objects but remain spiritually blind. He may know facts but miss truth. He may gain information but lack wisdom.
This also points forward to Christ as the true Light.
John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, , I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, , but shall have the light of life.”
In God’s light, we see light. In Christ, the darkness is overcome. The believer sees God, self, sin, salvation, creation, history, and eternity rightly only in the light God gives.
Psalm 36:7 to Psalm 36:9 therefore describes the great blessings of God’s people. They trust under His wings. They are satisfied with the fullness of His house. They drink from the river of His pleasures. They receive life from His fountain. They see light in His light. This is the answer to the emptiness of wickedness. The wicked flatter themselves and devise evil, but the righteous find refuge, satisfaction, life, and light in God.
Psalm 36:10 to Psalm 36:12, Prayer for Continued Blessing and Protection
Psalm 36:10, “O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.”
Psalm 36:11, “Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.”
Psalm 36:12, “There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.”
David now turns praise into prayer. He says, “O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee.” He has tasted the preciousness of God’s lovingkindness, and now he asks that it continue. This is instructive. Even when mercy is guaranteed by God’s covenant faithfulness, God’s people are still right to pray for its continued experience. Prayer does not imply doubt in God’s character. It expresses dependence upon God’s character.
The phrase “them that know thee” is important. The blessing is for those who know God, not merely those who know about Him. Biblical knowledge of God includes covenant relationship, faith, reverence, submission, and love. The one who truly knows God does not remain the same. He becomes upright in heart.
David continues, “and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.” Lovingkindness and righteousness belong together. God’s mercy is not unrighteous sentiment. His righteousness is not cold severity. He is both merciful and righteous. David asks that God’s righteousness continue toward the upright in heart. This means protection, vindication, guidance, and faithful dealings according to God’s holy character.
The parallel between “them that know thee” and “the upright in heart” teaches that true knowledge of God produces uprightness. A man who claims to know God while embracing wickedness is deceiving himself. The knowledge of God changes the heart.
1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know him, , if we keep his commandments.”
1 John 2:4, “He that saith, , I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, , is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
David’s theology is the same. Those who know God are upright in heart.
Verse 11 says, “Let not the foot of pride come against me.” David asks for protection from proud men. The foot of pride suggests trampling, domination, oppression, and arrogant aggression. Pride does not merely think highly of itself. It steps on others. It seeks to crush, control, and push aside.
Pride was at the root of the wicked man described earlier in the psalm. He had no fear of God and flattered himself in his own eyes. David now asks that such pride not come against him. He knows the proud can be dangerous. Prideful men are not content to sin privately. They often seek to impose their will on others.
David adds, “and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.” The hand speaks of power and action. The wicked want to dislodge David, drive him away, remove him from safety, calling, inheritance, or stability. David asks God not to permit it. He is not trusting in himself. He trusts in the Lord’s continued lovingkindness and righteousness.
This prayer is practical for every believer. The proud still trample. The wicked still try to remove the faithful from peace, truth, stability, and service. The believer must pray for protection. He must ask God to keep him from being moved by wicked hands.
Verse 12 ends with confidence, “There are the workers of iniquity fallen.” David looks ahead by faith and sees the downfall of the wicked. The workers of iniquity may appear strong now, but their end is collapse. They are fallen. Their own pride and wickedness will not stand before God.
He continues, “they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.” This is final judgment language. The righteous may fall and rise again by the mercy of God, but the hardened workers of iniquity are cast down in a way that leaves them unable to rise. Their self flattery ends in ruin. Their lack of fear ends in judgment. Their refusal to abhor evil ends in destruction.
Proverbs 24:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
The difference is not that the righteous never stumble. The difference is that God raises the righteous, while the wicked are finally overthrown by their rebellion.
This final verse answers the first section of the psalm. The wicked man thought too highly of himself. He had no fear of God. He devised evil and did not abhor wickedness. But David sees the end. The workers of iniquity fall. They are cast down. They cannot rise. The oracle of transgression lied. God’s truth stands.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Psalm 36 teaches that David’s highest identity was as the servant of the Lord. Though he was king, warrior, and poet, his greatest honor was belonging to and serving Jehovah.
Psalm 36 teaches that sin speaks. The transgression of the wicked reveals the inward condition of the heart. Outward sin is the index of inward rebellion.
Psalm 36 teaches that the foundation of wickedness is the absence of the fear of God. When there is no fear of God before a man’s eyes, self becomes exalted and sin becomes acceptable.
Psalm 36 teaches that the wicked flatter themselves. They excuse, minimize, justify, and conceal their sin until their iniquity is exposed as hateful.
Psalm 36 teaches that wickedness corrupts speech. The words of the wicked are iniquity and deceit because the mouth reveals the heart.
Psalm 36 teaches that sin destroys wisdom and goodness. The wicked man ceases to be wise and to do good.
Psalm 36 teaches that the wicked devise evil privately. Even on his bed, the wicked man plans mischief, showing that his corruption is deliberate and settled.
Psalm 36 teaches that the wicked set themselves in a way that is not good. Their path is chosen, not accidental.
Psalm 36 teaches that one mark of spiritual corruption is failing to abhor evil. The righteous must hate evil because God hates evil.
Psalm 36 teaches that God’s mercy is vast. His mercy reaches to the heavens, far above human sin, provocation, and comprehension.
Psalm 36 teaches that God’s faithfulness reaches to the clouds. He is reliable, covenant keeping, and utterly unlike deceitful men.
Psalm 36 teaches that God’s righteousness is like the great mountains. It is firm, majestic, unmovable, and stable.
Psalm 36 teaches that God’s judgments are a great deep. His wisdom and justice are profound beyond human measurement.
Psalm 36 teaches that God preserves man and beast. His goodness is displayed in the sustaining care of creation.
Psalm 36 teaches that God’s lovingkindness is precious. It is not only immense, it is personally treasured by those who know Him.
Psalm 36 teaches that men may take refuge under the shadow of God’s wings. The Lord shelters, protects, and receives those who trust Him.
Psalm 36 teaches that God abundantly satisfies His people with the fullness of His house. The world leaves the soul empty, but God gives true fullness.
Psalm 36 teaches that God gives His people to drink from the river of His pleasures. True joy is found in His presence, not in the poisoned pleasures of sin.
Psalm 36 teaches that God is the fountain of life. All physical life, spiritual life, and eternal life flow from Him.
Psalm 36 teaches that in God’s light we see light. God is the source of true understanding, and in Christ the light of life is fully revealed.
Psalm 36 teaches that believers should pray for continued lovingkindness. Covenant mercy is sure, yet it is still right to seek its ongoing experience in prayer.
Psalm 36 teaches that those who truly know God are upright in heart. Knowledge of God is not mere information. It produces moral transformation.
Psalm 36 teaches that the proud and wicked seek to trample and remove the righteous. David prays for protection from the foot of pride and the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 36 teaches that the workers of iniquity will fall. They may appear confident for a season, but God will cast them down, and they shall not be able to rise.
