Psalm-36

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim - Psalm 36”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Tehillim - Psalm 36 is a compact, moral, theological reflection attributed to David: it diagnoses human wickedness, celebrates אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) loving-kindness and faithfulness, and invites the faithful to take refuge under אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s protection and provision. It teaches us about ‘speech’, ‘trust’, and Divine mercy.

Let us read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 36: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. For the Leader. (A Psalm) of David the servant of יְהוָה - the LORD.
2. Transgression speaketh to the wicked, methinks there is no fear of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim before his eyes.
3. For it flattereth him in his eyes, until his iniquity be found and he be hated.
4. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; he hath left off to be wise, to do good.
5. He deviseth iniquity upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
6. Thy loving-kindness, O יְהוָה - LORD, is in the heavens; Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the skies.
7. Thy righteousness is like the mighty mountains; Thy judgments are like the great deep; man and beast Thou preservest, O יְהוָה - LORD.
8. How precious is Thy loving-kindness, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.
9. They are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou makest them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.
10. For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light do we see light.
11. O continue Thy loving-kindness unto them that know Thee; and Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
12. Let not the foot of pride overtake me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
13. There are the workers of iniquity fallen; they are thrust down, and are not able to rise.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ item, complete with explanation’s.

Verse 1. “For the Leader. (A Psalm) of David the servant of יְהוָה - the LORD”.

Explanation: “For the Leader” (Lamnatzeach) indicates that the Psalm was intended for public performance under the direction of the Temple’s choirmaster.

“A Psalm of David” attributes the composition to David, situating it within his role as king and poet.

“The servant of the LORD” is a rare and weighty title, emphasizing David’s humility and covenantal role. It frames the Psalm not merely as poetry but as service, an act of devotion offered by one who sees himself foremost as אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s servant.

Verse 2. “Transgression speaketh to the wicked, methinks there is no fear of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim before his eyes”.

Explanation: The Psalm opens with an inner monologue: sin rationalizes itself. The absence of ‘Yirat Elohim’ (fear of אֱלֹהִים) explains moral collapse.

Verse 3. “For it flattereth him in his eyes, Until his iniquity be found, and he be hated”.

Explanation: Sin deceives and comforts the wrongdoer until exposure and social ruin follow.

Verse 4. “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; He hath left off to be wise, to do good”.

Explanation: Speech becomes the index of character: corrupt words signal the abandonment of wisdom and virtue.

Verse 5. “He deviseth iniquity upon his bed; He setteth himself in a way that is not good; He abhorreth not evil”.

Explanation: Wickedness is deliberate and habitual, planned even in private, showing moral hardening.

Verse 6. “Thy loving-kindness, O יְהוָה - LORD, is in the heavens; Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the skies”.

Explanation: The tone shifts: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s ‘chesed’ and ‘emunah’ are vast and transcendent, set over against human failure.

Verse 7. “Thy righteousness is like the mighty mountains; Thy judgments are like the great deep; Man and beast Thou preservest, O יְהוָה - LORD”.

Explanation: Divine justice and care are both majestic and comprehensive, sustaining all life.

Verse 8. “How precious is Thy loving-kindness, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings”.

Explanation: The Psalmist invites trust: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercy is precious and protective, imagery of shelter under wings.

Verse 9. “They are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; And Thou makest them drink of the river of Thy pleasures”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim provides abundant nourishment and delight; spiritual and material sustenance flow from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.

Verse 10. “For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is the source of life and true knowledge; Divine illumination enables human insight.

Verse 11. “O continue Thy loving-kindness unto them that know Thee; And Thy righteousness to the upright in heart”.

Explanation: A petition for ongoing mercy and justice for those who know and live uprightly.

Verse 12. “Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away”.

Explanation: A personal plea for protection from the arrogance and aggression of the wicked.

Verse 13. “There the workers of iniquity are fallen: they are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise”.

Explanation: The Psalm closes with assurance: ultimately the wicked fall and cannot prevail against אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s order.

My Concluding message:

Tehillim - Psalm 36 pairs a sober diagnosis of human deceit with a confident summons to trust אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s expansive loving-kindness. Teach that guarding speech, seeking refuge in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and living uprightly are the practical responses to a world where wickedness prospers for a time but cannot withstand Divine justice!

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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