Psalms 36–12
Psalm 36:1-12
Psa.36.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעבד: VERB,qal,inf
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 18:1 (structural): Superscription pattern: both verses begin with למנצח and attribute the song to David (לְדָוִד), directing the psalm to the chief musician and naming David as author/subject.
- Psalm 3:1 (structural): Another psalm heading addressed to the leader and connected with David (למנצח ... לדוד); parallels in liturgical/authorial superscription formulae.
- 2 Samuel 7:8 (verbal): God addresses David as עַבְדִּי/עַבְדְּךָ (my servant/your servant) — shows the biblical usage of 'servant of the LORD' as a title applied to David, related to the phrase לעבד־יהוה in the heading.
- Isaiah 42:1 (thematic): Uses the motif of the 'servant of the LORD' (עַבְדִּי), a theological theme connected to the title לעבד־יהוה and later messianic/service imagery in the Psalter and prophets.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the choirmaster. A servant of the LORD; of David.
- For the leader. Of the servant of the LORD; of David.
Psa.36.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרשע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקרב: PREP
- לבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- אין: PART,neg
- פחד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לנגד: PREP
- עיניו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
Parallels
- Romans 3:18 (quotation): Paul cites the exact idea — “There is no fear of God before their eyes” — as part of his catalogue of human unrighteousness, echoing Ps 36:2 (LXX/MT tradition).
- Psalm 10:4 (verbal): Both verses describe the wicked’s inner disposition: prideful/self-centered thinking that excludes God and lacks reverence or fear of the LORD.
- Proverbs 1:29 (thematic): Proverbs states that people “did not choose the fear of the LORD,” reflecting the same moral point that the wicked live without fear of God in Ps 36:2.
- Psalm 14:1 (thematic): The fool’s inner denial—“There is no God” (or acting as if God is not there)—relates thematically to Ps 36:2’s depiction of a heart that lacks fear of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- A word of transgression there is in the heart of the wicked: there is no fear of God before his eyes.
- Transgression speaks within the wicked—deep in his heart: there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Psa.36.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- החליק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בעיניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- למצא: PREP,VERB,qal,inf
- עונו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לשנא: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Proverbs 21:2 (verbal): Shares the motif and language of self-justification — 'every way of a man is right in his own eyes' echoes 'he flatters himself in his own eyes.'
- Proverbs 28:13 (thematic): Contrasts concealment and persistence in sin with the necessity of confession and forsaking sin; directly relates to the wicked's hatred of abandoning his iniquity.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (thematic): Describes the heart's deceitfulness and self-deception, paralleling the sinner's flattering of himself and refusal to forsake sin.
- Romans 1:21-22 (thematic): New Testament parallel: those who suppress truth become futile in thought and self-deceived ('claiming to be wise, they became fools'), reflecting the same self-flattery and persistence in wrongdoing.
- Psalm 10:4 (structural): Closely related psalmic depiction of the wicked's inner disposition — pride, refusal to seek God, and lack of fear before his eyes — forming the same character profile as Ps 36:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he flatters himself in his eyes to seek out iniquity; he delights in hatred and scheming.
- For in his own sight he flatters himself; he seeks out his iniquity and does not hate it.
Psa.36.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- פיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומרמה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חדל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להשכיל: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- להיטיב: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Ps.10.7 (verbal): Both describe the wickedness of the mouth—speech full of deceit/mischief—and similar language about corrupt talk and counsel.
- Ps.52.2-4 (verbal): Speaks of loving evil rather than good and a deceitful tongue; closely parallels the Psalmist’s charge that the wicked’s words are deceit and mischief.
- Prov.6.12-14 (thematic): Describes a perverse person who continually devises mischief and schemes evil—paralleling the idea of plotting mischief in one’s speech and conduct.
- Isa.59.4 (thematic): Accuses people of speaking lies and conceiving mischief, bringing forth iniquity—a prophetic parallel to the combination of deceitful speech and evil intent.
- Rom.3.13-14 (quotation): Paul quotes and summarizes Old Testament condemnations of deceitful, corrupt speech (throat an open grave; tongues that deceive), echoing the Psalmal critique of the wicked’s words.
Alternative generated candidates
- The words of his mouth are mischief and deceit; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
- The words of his mouth are mischief and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and to do good.
Psa.36.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחשב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- משכבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- יתיצב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- ימאס: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Micah 2:1 (verbal): Almost identical wording and idea: those who 'devise iniquity' and 'work evil upon their beds'—plans hatched in private that lead to public wrongdoing.
- Proverbs 6:18 (verbal): Speaks of a 'heart that devises wicked plans' (part of the things the LORD hates), paralleling the motif of inward plotting of evil.
- Isaiah 59:7–8 (thematic): Describes people whose feet run to evil and whose ways are crooked—echoing the image of setting oneself on a ‘way not good’ and not abhorring evil.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (thematic): Affirms the deceitful, inward propensity to evil ('the heart is deceitful above all things'), corresponding to the psalm’s focus on inner plotting and unwillingness to loathe evil.
Alternative generated candidates
- Evil he plots on his bed; he sets himself on a course that is not good; he does not shun evil.
- He plots wickedness on his bed; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he does not despise evil.
Psa.36.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בהשמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- חסדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- אמונתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- שחקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ps.108.4 (quotation): Verbatim repetition of the same lines (“For your lovingkindness is great to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds”), Psalm 108:4 directly quotes Psalm 36:5–6.
- Exod.34:6–7 (verbal): Declaration of the LORD’s steadfast love and faithfulness (‘merciful and gracious… abundant in steadfast love and faithfulness’), a key theological parallel to Psalm 36’s emphasis on God’s covenantal hesed and emunah.
- Ps.103:11 (thematic): Uses the same heavenly imagery to describe God’s steadfast love (‘For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love’), thematically echoing the idea that God’s mercy reaches to the heavens.
- Deut.7:9 (thematic): Affirms God’s faithfulness and covenant-keeping across generations (‘the LORD your God is God of gods… keeps covenant and steadfast love for a thousand generations’), resonating with Psalm 36’s focus on God’s enduring hesed and emunah.
Alternative generated candidates
- O LORD, your steadfast love is in the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
- O LORD, your steadfast love is in the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psa.36.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- צדקתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,ms
- כהררי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- משפטך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- תהום: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובהמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תושיע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 36:5 (structural): Immediate context in the same psalm: both verses praise God’s character (steadfast love/faithfulness) and set up the contrast between God’s high, enduring righteousness and his saving care.
- Psalm 89:14 (thematic): Speaks of righteousness and justice as the foundation of God’s throne, echoing the theme of divine righteousness and just judgments like those described in Psalm 36:7.
- Psalm 104:27-30 (thematic): Describes God’s providential care for animals and all creatures—God gives them food and sustains life—paralleling the declaration that ‘man and beast you save.’
- Matthew 10:29-31 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that God cares for even sparrows and knows the number of hairs on your head underscores the biblical theme in Psalm 36:7 of God’s attentive preservation of both humans and animals.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are a great deep. O LORD, you preserve man and beast.
- Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are a great deep; you save both man and beast, O LORD.
Psa.36.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מה: PRON,int
- יקר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- חסדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בצל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כנפיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- יחסיון: VERB,qal,impf,3,mp
Parallels
- Psalm 17:8 (verbal): Petition to be kept/hidden 'in the shadow of your wings'—same protective wing imagery as refuge under God's steadfast love.
- Psalm 57:1 (verbal): Cries for God’s mercy and refuge 'in the shadow of your wings,' echoing the motif of sheltering protection.
- Psalm 91:4 (verbal): Speaks of God covering with his pinions and finding refuge under his wings; links divine protection with faithfulness.
- Psalm 61:4 (verbal): Expresses longing to 'take refuge in the shelter of your wings,' closely paralleling the Psalm 36 theme of human trust in God's steadfast love.
- Ruth 2:12 (allusion): Blessing uses the image 'under whose wings you have come to take refuge'—narrative application of the same protective-wing motif to God’s care for people.
Alternative generated candidates
- How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
- How precious is your steadfast love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psa.36.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ירוין: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- מדשן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ביתך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ונחל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עדניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- תשקם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 2:13 (verbal): Uses the same fountain/wells imagery — God (or God’s provision) as the 'fountain of living waters,' paralleling 'fountain of life.'
- John 1:4 (verbal): Combines the motifs 'life' and 'light' ('In him was life, and the life was the light of men'), echoing Psalm 36:9’s pairing of life and divine light.
- John 8:12 (allusion): Jesus’ claim 'I am the light of the world' recalls the OT theme that God’s light enables true sight ('in your light shall we see light').
- Isaiah 12:3 (thematic): Speaks of drawing water from the wells of salvation — similar water/fountain imagery portraying God as the source of life and sustenance.
- Psalm 16:11 (thematic): Links God’s presence with life/fulness ('You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy'), resonating with Psalm 36:9’s life-in-God motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of your delights.
- They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of your delights.
Psa.36.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- מקור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חיים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- באורך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- נראה: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- אור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- John 8:12 (verbal): Jesus: “I am the light of the world... the light of life” echoes Ps 36:10’s coupling of divine light and life (’in Your light we see light’ / ‘source of life’).
- Revelation 21:6 (verbal): “To the thirsty I will give... from the spring of the water of life” parallels the Psalm’s image of God as the fountain/source of life (מָקוֹר חַיִּים).
- Revelation 22:1–2 (thematic): The river/trees of life that flow from God’s throne develop the Psalm’s life-giving water imagery and the presence of God as the source of life and healing.
- Psalm 27:1 (thematic): “The LORD is my light and my salvation” shares the theme of God’s light as saving, guiding, and life-giving—resonant with ‘in Your light we see light.’
- Isaiah 9:2 (thematic): “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” echoes the motif of divine light bringing revelation, deliverance, and life found in Ps 36:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we behold light.
- For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Psa.36.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- משך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חסדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- לידעיך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- וצדקתך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- לישרי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 85:10 (verbal): Pairs mercy (חסד) and righteousness/truth (צדק/אמת) — similar vocabulary and theological pairing of lovingkindness and righteousness found in Ps 36:11.
- Proverbs 3:3-4 (verbal): Commands that 'mercy and truth' abide with the believer so that 'righteousness and peace' follow — echoes the linkage of hesed and righteousness toward the upright in Ps 36:11.
- Psalm 25:10 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's ways as mercy and truth toward those who keep his covenant — similar theme of God’s steadfast lovingkindness and righteousness toward the faithful/upright.
- Psalm 103:17 (thematic): Declares the LORD's steadfast love toward those who fear him 'from everlasting to everlasting' — parallels Ps 36:11’s appeal for God’s lovingkindness to those who know him and his righteousness to upright hearts.
- Micah 6:8 (thematic): Summarizes God’s requirement as doing justice and loving mercy — echoes the moral correlation between righteousness and lovingkindness toward the upright expressed in Ps 36:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- Extend your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart.
- Extend your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart.
Psa.36.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תבואני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- רגל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גאוה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויד: CONJ
- רשעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- תנדני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 140:4 (verbal): A closely parallel petition: both pray for preservation from the hands of the wicked/violent—’keep me from the hand of the wicked’ echoes ‘יד־ רשעים אל־ תנדני.’
- Proverbs 16:18 (thematic): Speaks to the danger of pride—’Pride goes before destruction’—connecting to the plea ‘do not let the foot of pride come against me.’
- Isaiah 2:11 (thematic): Declares that the haughty and lofty pride of humans will be humbled, thematically linked to a prayer asking God to prevent the assault of pride.
- Psalm 59:1 (thematic): A similar cry for God’s protection from enemies who rise up—both verses are petitions for deliverance from hostile or violent foes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not let the foot of pride come against me, nor the hand of the wicked thrust me away.
- Do not let the foot of pride come upon me, nor let the hand of the wicked thrust me aside.
To the choirmaster. A servant of the LORD. Of David.
Transgression speaks to the wicked—deep within his heart: 'There is no fear of God before his eyes.'
For he flatters himself in his own eyes; with his eyes he seeks out his iniquity—he delights in it and does not turn from it.
The words of his mouth are mischief and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and to do good.
He schemes evil upon his bed; he sets himself on a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.
O LORD, your steadfast love is in the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are a great deep. You, O LORD, save both man and beast.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They are satisfied with the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the source of life; in your light we see light.
Stretch out your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart.
Do not let the step of the proud come against me, nor the hand of the wicked cast me aside.