Psalms 36:1
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Psalmist isn't just observing wicked behavior; he's hearing "transgression" itself speak within the heart of the ungodly. This isn't an external voice, but the internalized ideology of sin persuading them that there's no ultimate accountability before God.
This psalm begins as David reflects on the deep-seated corruption he sees in wicked people, noting how their very acts of rebellion speak to him inwardly. He observes that their actions reveal a profound lack of reverence or "fear" for God, leading them to pursue sin without restraint. The verses that follow will further explore this inner corruption, contrast it with God's steadfast love, and ultimately lead to a prayer for deliverance.
Understand the original words
pesha' · Hebrew Noun
A deviation from or rebellion against God’s law. It represents an active revolt against divine authority and moral standards, resulting in estrangement from God.
rasha' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A general term for those who oppose God and His moral order. It describes individuals who are fundamentally out of alignment with God’s will and lack spiritual discernment.
pachad · Hebrew Noun
A reverential awe, respect, and submission to the character and authority of God. It is the beginning of wisdom and the foundational posture of one who rightly relates to the Creator.
This passage directly quotes Psalm 36:1, showing how Paul uses it to summarize the universal reality of sin and the absence of the fear of God in fallen humanity.
Romans 1:28-32This passage describes people who, like the wicked in Psalms 36:1, have 'no fear of God' and are given over to sin because they did not see fit to acknowledge God.
Proverbs 1:7This verse shares the theme of the 'fear of the Lord' being the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, contrasting directly with the wicked man in Psalm 36:1 who lacks it.
Jeremiah 5:22-24This passage highlights the consequences of lacking the fear of God, showing how it leads to unbridled wickedness and a disregard for divine judgment, mirroring the state described in Psalm 36:1.
Psalm 10:4This verse echoes Psalm 36:1 by stating that the wicked, in their arrogance, 'does not seek God' and 'God is in none of his thoughts,' demonstrating a profound absence of God's fear.
calvinPsalms 36:1-4: "<A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.>> The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes."
- Ungodliness saith to the wicked in the midst of my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. [1] 3. The words of his mouth are iniquity [2] and deceit; he hath left off to understand that he may do good. 4. He meditates [or devises] iniqu…
cambridgePsalms 36:1: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes."
1 . As the Psalmist reflects on the conduct of the wicked man, it becomes clear to him that practical atheism is the guiding principle of his life. So the reading of the Massoretic Text, followed in the A.V., may be explained. But it is unnatural to regard transgression as uttering its oracle in the Psalmist’s heart;…
The Psalmist isn't just observing wicked behavior; he's hearing "transgression" itself speak within the heart of the ungodly. This isn't an external voice, but the internalized ideology of sin persuading them that there's no ultimate accountability before God.
This psalm begins as David reflects on the deep-seated corruption he sees in wicked people, noting how their very acts of rebellion speak to him inwardly. He observes that their actions reveal a profound lack of reverence or "fear" for God, leading them to pursue sin without restraint. The verses that follow will further explore this inner corruption, contrast it with God's steadfast love, and ultimately lead to a prayer for deliverance.
This psalm begins as David reflects on the deep-seated corruption he sees in wicked people, noting how their very acts of rebellion speak to him inwardly. He observes that their actions reveal a profound lack of reverence or "fear" for God, leading them to pursue sin without restraint. The verses that follow will further explore this inner corruption, contrast it with God's steadfast love, and ultimately lead to a prayer for deliverance.
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"Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes." — The Psalmist isn't just observing wicked behavior; he's hearing "transgression" itself speak within the heart of the ungodly. This isn't an external voice, but the internalized ideology of sin persua…
