The big picture
Psalms 36 opens in verse 1 with “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD …”, and closes in verse 12 with “There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to…” Repeated or prominent terms include iniquity, eyes, good, heart, light. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 12Psalms 36:1-6
1–6: The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no…
Psalms 36:1–6 opens with “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his…” and reaches “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD , thou…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 36 develops its own movement around iniquity, eyes, good, heart, light, with particular weight carried by eyes, good, iniquity.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Psalms 36:1-6
King James Version1The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
5Thy mercy, O LORD , is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD , thou preservest man and beast.
Psalms 36:7-12
7–12: How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of…
Psalms 36:7–12 opens with “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under…” and reaches “There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 36 develops its own movement around iniquity, eyes, good, heart, light, with particular weight carried by light, lovingkindness, able.
Context that brings the passage to life
“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Psalms 36:7-12
King James Version7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
11Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
12There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 36:1 begins with “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 36:2 forms a natural hinge: “For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.”
The final note
Psalms 36:12 leaves the reader with “There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words iniquity, eyes, good, heart, light, LORD help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Why include a long chapter about Esau?
Genesis traces neighboring peoples as relatives with real histories, even while following Jacob's covenant line.
What political development receives attention?
Edom has chiefs and a sequence of kings before Israel's monarchy.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.