Psalms 36:6
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "mountains of God" doesn't just mean very high mountains; it points to mountains created and established by God Himself, highlighting His foundational, unshakeable righteousness as the architect of reality. Similarly, the "great deep" isn't just about God's judgments being mysterious, but about their vast, unfathomable scope that governs even the deepest, most hidden aspects of existence.
The Psalmist is contrasting human wickedness with God's unshakeable nature. After describing the deceit and depravity of the ungodly, he shifts focus to God's steadfast righteousness and unfathomable judgments. This poetic declaration highlights God's sovereign control over all creation, preserving both humanity and the animal kingdom amidst the world's chaos.
When the world feels shaky and unpredictable, where do you find stability? This verse offers a powerful image of God's unyielding character.
The Psalmist compares God's righteousness to the "mountains of God." This isn't just any mountain; it's a term suggesting immense height, majesty, and permanence. Think of the most imposing peaks you can imagine – God's righteousness is even greater. It speaks to His unshakeable faithfulness to His own character and His promises. No matter how chaotic human affairs become, God's core nature and His commitment to what is right remain absolutely constant. This is a source of incredible security for believers, a reminder that even when we can't see the path, God's foundation is solid.
Ever felt baffled by God's decisions or the way things unfold? This verse acknowledges that we don't always understand, but points to divine wisdom.
The Psalmist then turns to God's judgments, comparing them to 'the great deep.' This isn't just a deep lake; it evokes the vast, mysterious ocean, or even the watery abyss described in creation accounts. It signifies something immense, unfathomable, and beyond full human comprehension. This doesn't mean God's judgments are random or unjust. Instead, it highlights the incredible depth of His wisdom and His plans. We may not always grasp His reasons or see the full picture, especially when facing difficult circumstances, but we can trust that His 'judgments' – His decisions and ways of governing – are perfectly just and wise, even if they are beyond our immediate understanding.
It's easy to think God's concern is only for humans, but this verse reveals a broader scope to His saving power.
The verse concludes with a powerful affirmation: 'man and beast you save, O LORD.' This highlights the expansive nature of God's providential care. He is not only the God of justice and unfathomable wisdom, but also the God who sustains and saves all of His creation. The fact that God's care extends even to the animal kingdom underscores the reliability of His provision for humanity. If He nourishes and protects the creatures we might consider least significant, how much more will He care for us, His image-bearers? It’s a reminder that in God's economy, nothing is wasted, and His life-giving power is at work throughout the world.
Understand the original words
tzedakah · Hebrew Noun
God's attribute of moral perfection and conformity to His own standard of holiness and justice. It refers to His faithfulness to His covenant and His righteous acts in history.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
The formal, authoritative decisions of God as Judge. In Scripture, it signifies His governance, divine justice, and the administration of His law over the world.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenant-keeping name of God, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His eternal existence and His relational faithfulness to His people.
This passage echoes the 'great deep' imagery for God's judgments, highlighting the unfathomable and mysterious nature of God's ways and wisdom in His dealings with humanity, particularly concerning salvation.
Matthew 6:26This verse directly links God's care for the 'birds of the air' to His even greater care for humans, mirroring the Psalmist's assurance that the LORD preserves both 'man and beast.'
Psalm 104:10-13This passage describes God's provision for the natural world, showing how He supplies the needs of animals and causes plants to grow, reinforcing the idea found in Psalm 36:6 that God's providential care extends to all creatures.
Psalm 8:4While not using the same imagery, this verse's awe-filled question 'What is man, that you are mindful of him?' resonates with the profound wonder of God's preservation of humanity and beast mentioned in Psalm 36:6.
Deuteronomy 32:11The imagery of an eagle stirring up its nest and carrying its young on its wings provides a powerful visual of God's protective and nurturing care, similar to the steadfast and majestic preservation of 'man and beast' attributed to God in Psalm 36:6.
calvinPsalms 36:5-9: "Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds."
- O Jehovah! thy mercy is unto the heavens, and thy truth even unto the clouds. 6. Thy righteousness is as the mountains of God; [4] thy judgments are a great deep: [5] O Jehovah! thou preservest man and beast. 7. O God! how excellent [6] is thy loving-kindness! therefore, the children of men shall trust in the shadow of thy wings. 8. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy…
cambridgePsalms 36:6: "Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast."
6 . Jehovah’s righteousness—His faithfulness to His character and covenant ( Psalm 5:8 ), manifested alike in mercy and in judgement—is like the mountains of God ( El ), immovably firm ( Psalm 111:3 ), eternally unchanged, majestically conspicuous. God’s works proclaim their Author, and reflect His attributes. Cp. Psalm 104:16 ; Psalm 65:9 ; Psalm 80:10 . The grea…
The phrase "mountains of God" doesn't just mean very high mountains; it points to mountains created and established by God Himself, highlighting His foundational, unshakeable righteousness as the architect of reality. Similarly, the "great deep" isn't just about God's judgments being mysterious, but about their vast, unfathomable scope that governs even the deepest, most hidden aspects of existence.
The Psalmist is contrasting human wickedness with God's unshakeable nature. After describing the deceit and depravity of the ungodly, he shifts focus to God's steadfast righteousness and unfathomable judgments. This poetic declaration highlights God's sovereign control over all creation, preserving both humanity and the animal kingdom amidst the world's chaos.
The Psalmist is contrasting human wickedness with God's unshakeable nature. After describing the deceit and depravity of the ungodly, he shifts focus to God's steadfast righteousness and unfathomable judgments. This poetic declaration highlights God's sovereign control over all creation, preserving both humanity and the animal kingdom amidst the world's chaos.
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"Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD." — The phrase "mountains of God" doesn't just mean very high mountains; it points to mountains created and established by God Himself, highlighting His foundational, unshakeable righteousness as the arc…
