Psalm 36 Overview
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YHWH's Unending Loyalty
Psalm 36
Please note: Resources for Psalm 36 are in the process of being reformatted for visual consistency and improved functionality.
Welcome to the Overview of Psalm 36
This page will introduce and provide orientation to Psalm 36 as a whole. It includes the following sections:
Introduction to Psalm 36
Author
- David
Book
- Book 1 of the Psalter (Chapters 1–41)
Psalm 36: A Brief Summary
- Psalm 36 describes an unexpected battle between the growing presence of evil in a person and the results of seeking protection in YHWH’s loyalty. The person consumed by evil ceases to act wisely and can no longer refuse evil. His perception is distorted so as to reject all good. YHWH’s loyalty, by contrast, is unthreatened, has no limits and offers protection to all who will take refuge within it. It offers endless delights and, most important of all, enables genuine perception: by YHWH’s light, people can see light. Their perception becomes true and correct, and they can see what is true and correct. In the final section, loyalty conclusively overcomes evil: evildoers come to an end, but loyalty continues for the righteous. They are protected and secure, not because they are mightier than evil, but because they’ve sought refuge in a secure place: YHWH’s loyalty.
"YHWH’s unending loyalty" This title is a memorable phrase that helps remember the unique character and content of this psalm.
- The opening phrase, “YHWH’s unending loyalty” is a common theme in the book of Psalms, since his loyalty is the basis for so many appeals and complaints. Its role in Psalm 36, however, is to make the attraction of evil pale in comparison to the unending delights of YHWH’s loyalty. Evil will come to an end, but YHWH’s loyalty is unending.
Purpose The Purpose was the psalmist's probable intent or reason for writing this psalm.
- To assure YHWH's people that his loyalty is precious and unending.
Content The Content is a concise summary of the whole psalm's content.
- Rebellion leads the wicked person to increasing evil (vv. 2-5), but YHWH's loyalty to his people is unaffected (vv. 6-10). That's why YHWH continues his loyalty to his people by protecting them from evil(doers) (vv. 11-13).
Message The Message is the main idea the psalmist probably wanted the audience to remember upon or after hearing the psalm.
- YHWH's loyalty triumphs over evil.
Psalm 36 At-a-Glance
These sections divide the content of the psalm into digestible pieces , and are determined based on information from many of our layers, including Semantics, Poetics, and Discourse. The columns, left to right, contain: the verse numbers; the main title of the section; a brief summary of the content of that section (quote marks indicate the text is taken directly from the English text of the psalm (as per our Close-but-Clear translation); and an icon to visually represent and remember the content.
| v. 1 For the director. By the servant of YHWH — by David. | Superscription | |||
| v. 2 Rebellion’s declaration [speaks] to the wicked in the midst of his heart. There is no fear of God before his eyes. | Evil Abounds | Rebellion distorts the perception of the wicked so that he rejects all good and plots only evil. |  |
alarm |
| v. 3 For [Rebellion] has flattered him in his eyes, that he has found his iniquity and hated it. | ||||
| v. 4 The words of his mouth are evil and deceit. He has ceased to act wisely and to do good. | ||||
| v. 5 He plots evil on his bed. He remains beside every way that is not good. He does not refuse evil. | ||||
| v. 6 YHWH, your loyalty is in the sky; your faithfulness [extends] up to the clouds. | Loyalty Abounds | YHWH is unthreatened. His loyalty extends everywhere and his justice remains firm. |  |
awe |
| v. 7 Your justice is like the mighty mountains; your judgment is [like] the great ocean. You deliver humans and animals, YHWH. | ||||
| v. 8 How precious is your loyalty, God! Mortals take refuge within the protection of your wings. | YHWH’s loyalty offers people refuge and delight. YHWH’s light enables their perception. |  |
joy | |
| v. 9 They drink to the full from the abundance of your house and you give them drink from your delightful stream, | ||||
| v. 10 Because the spring of life is with you. By your light we can see light. | ||||
| v. 11 Continue your loyalty for those who know you; and [continue] your righteousness for the upright in heart! | Loyalty Overcomes Evil | YHWH’s continued loyalty protects the upright and ensures evildoers fail. |  |
triumph |
| v. 12 Do not let the foot of the arrogant come against me; and do not let the hand of the wicked drive me away! | ||||
| v. 13 Evildoers have fallen there. They have been thrust down and have not been able to stand up. | ||||
Background Orientation for Psalm 36
Following are the common-ground assumptionsCommon-ground assumptions include information shared by the speaker and hearers. In our analysis, we mainly use this category for Biblical/Ancient Near Eastern background. which are the most helpful for making sense of the psalm.
- The evil actions of the "wicked" (רשׁע; vv. 2-5) threaten the lives of those who are "upright in heart" (ישׁרי לב; v. 11) (cf. Ps 11:2).
- YHWH's "loyalty" (חֶסֶד) refers to his commitment to fulfill his obligations towards his people — his "covenant partners" — and demonstrate this commitment by his actions (see SDBH).
- YHWH's temple is a place of safety and security (cf. Pss 27:5; 61:4-5).
Background Situation for Psalm 36
The background situation is the series of events leading up to the time in which the psalm is spoken. These are taken from the story triangle – whatever lies to the left of the star icon.
Participants in Psalm 36
There are 4 participants/characters in Psalm 36:
| David |
| "YHWH's servant" (v. 1) |
| YHWH's people |
| "those who know you" (v. 11) |
| "the upright in heart" (v. 11) |
| Humans |
| Mortals |
| YHWH |
| "God" (v. 8) |
| Animals |
| Enemies |
| "the wicked [person]" (v. 2) |
| "the arrogant [people]" (v. 12) |
| "the wicked [people]" (v. 12) |
| "evildoers" (v. 13) |
| Body Parts of Enemies |
| "the foot [of the arrogant]" (v. 12) |
| "the hand [of the wicked]" (v. 12) |
| Rebellion |
- Enemies: It is unclear whether the enemies in Ps 36 are from within (i.e., fellow Israelites) or without (i.e., foreign powers), yet the descriptions of YHWH's attributes and the allusions to the temple suggest that they are "criminally minded, powerful and arrogant Israelites or Judaeans" (Botha 2004, 518). A singular wicked person is the focus of vv. 2-5 and appears to be representative of a larger group referred to later as "arrogant" (v. 12), "wicked" (v. 12), and "evildoers" (v. 13) (cf. Botha 2004, 517; le Mat 1957, 68). The enemies set themselves up against YHWH and David (and, by extension, YHWH's people). Because of their hostility towards YHWH and his people, such enemies fall, are thrust down, and are not able to stand up (v. 13); in other words, they die.
- Rebellion: Rebellion is personified as an "inspiring demon" who, masquerading as a prophet, speaks to the wicked person (Gunkel 1926, 152; cf. Gen 4:7; Ps 119:133b) and flatters him (see The Syntax and Meaning of Psalm 36:3). Instead of listening to the נאם יהוה "declaration of YHWH," the wicked person heeds its antithesis — the נאם פשׁע "declaration of Rebellion."
- Animals: The mention of "humans and animals" (v. 7) could be meristic, encapsulating "the totality of living beings" (Botha 2004, 511n17; Hossfeld and Zenger 1993, 227). The inclusion of animals in v. 7 is fitting in light of the preceding creation language (e.g., sky, clouds, etc.). Here, as in other places (cf. Jonah 4:11; Pss 104:14; 147:9), YHWH demonstrates his concern for both humans and animals.