The Bible Says
Psalm 36:1-4 Meaning

As we begin Psalm 36:1-4, we encounter For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. David was the shepherd boy turned king, reigning over Israel approximately from 1010 to 970 BC. He spent his earlier years tending sheep in Bethlehem before uniting the tribes and establishing Jerusalem as his capital. This poetic heading shows that these words were meant to be used in worship services led by those skilled in music, indicating the Psalm’s communal and reflective nature.

In this heading, David humbly refers to himself as a servant of God, underscoring his dependence on the Almighty. Far from boasting about being a king or warrior, he identifies with the role of a faithful follower. Here, David reminds us that the greatest position is not one of power but of humble service, a theme picked up by Jesus, who also took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-7). David’s self-description prepares our hearts to receive the truths he will share in the following verses.

In verse one, we read Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. (v. 1). David introduces the concept of sin personified, like a whispering counselor that influences the ungodly person from the inside. The inner corruption is shown to be at the root of wrongdoing, steering thoughts and actions away from God. Investing one’s mind with rebellious ideas eventually leads to spiritual blindness.

Furthermore, David highlights the absence of reverence for the Almighty. This lack of a healthy, holy fear cuts off the heart from any restraint that knowledge of a just and righteous God might provide. Scripture repeatedly affirms that wisdom begins with fearing the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). Without this, the conscience can dull, and a person is left vulnerable to every deceitful suggestion of sin.

The phrase there is no fear of God also implies that the person fails to stand in awe or wonder of the divine presence. When honored rightly, God’s majesty elicits an attitude of humility and obedience. When that recognition is missing, self-centered impulses reign unchecked, revealing a heart that has turned away from divine guidance.

As we examine verse two, David writes, For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. (v. 2). This is a bold statement on how sin fosters pride, causing a person to rationalize or minimize wrongdoing. The heart twisted by sin clings to a self-generated illusion of innocence, even when faced with the ugliness of transgression.

By describing sin’s flattering nature, David reveals how self-deception becomes the norm. It blinds the individual to the magnitude of his or her offenses. This internal flattery keeps a person from truly recognizing guilt, and without the penetrating truth of God’s light, one rarely takes possession of the sin or feels the need for repentance (1 John 1:8-9). It becomes a barrier that must be shattered by divine grace before redemption can be experienced.

In verse three, David continues, The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. (v. 3). Here we see how sinful motives spill out into speech. What starts as internal rebellion soon manifests as malicious words or dishonest statements. Instead of seeking uplifting or truthful conversation, the ungodly give voice to impurity and deception.

The Psalmist notes that in the heart devoid of godly fear, wisdom itself is abandoned. This wisdom is not just about intellect but about living skillfully in the eyes of the Creator. David’s words echo Jesus’ teaching that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). As the heart becomes hardened, it leaves little room for righteousness in word or deed.

Moreover, the phrase ceased to be wise conveys a deliberate departure from the path of moral discernment. It reveals a downward moral slide where the individual, rather than growing in virtue, embraces that which leads further from God’s truth. True goodness is forsaken, and in its place, a pattern of harmful choices emerges.

Finally, verse four concludes, He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil. (v. 4). The imagery of someone pondering wrongdoing while lying in bed underscores how deeply sin roots itself in thought life. Even in the stillness of the night, instead of reflecting on repentance, the mind conjures new ways to rebel against God.

David further illustrates the fatal trajectory of such a mindset: once the path of sin is chosen, the ungodly person becomes comfortable in it. The verse reports that this individual does not despise evil, meaning there is no remorse or revulsion for wrongdoing. Detached from divine justice, the sinner plunges deeper into a lifestyle that opposes the Lord's intentions.

This verse also stands as a warning that our intentions shape our actions. When we privately dwell on harmful plans, we set ourselves on a course away from God’s blessing. The call is to examine our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our thoughts toward righteousness (Romans 12:2), transforming our path into one that fosters spiritual health.