Psalms 36:1

With the Hebrew beneath

Psalms 36:1, word by word

For the directorמְנַצֵּחַmenatseach

direct

To take charge of directing a work or the singing and music of the psalms.

Where else “menatseach” appears

Of the servantעֶבֶדeved

servant of YHWH

YHWH's servant, like Moses or David.

Where else “eved” appears

of YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears

of Davidדָוִדdavid

David

David, youngest son of Jesse, of Bethlehem; the second king of Israel. The name means "beloved."

Where else “david” appears

A declarationנְאֻםneum

oracle

Solemn words of a man, like Balaam.

Where else “neum” appears

of transgressionפֶּשַׁעpesha

transgression

A serious wrong against someone: rebellion, transgression.

Where else “pesha” appears

to the wickedרָשָׁעrasha

wicked

One who does evil, the opposite of the righteous.

Where else “rasha” appears

withinקֶרֶבkerev

inside

One's inner part, one's inmost self.

Where else “kerev” appears

my heartלִבִּlibi

heart

The deepest part of a person: where they think, feel and decide.

Where else “libi” appears

dreadפַּחַדpachad

dread, terror

Dread, terror, sudden fear. "The Fear of Isaac" is a name for God: the one who is revered with awe.

Where else “pachad” appears

of Elohimאֱלֹהִיםelohim

Elohim

The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.

Where else “elohim” appears

beforeנֶגֶדneged

in front of

In someone's presence, before his eyes.

Where else “neged” appears

his eyesעֵינָיenay

eye

The organ with which one sees; so "lift the eyes" means to look.

Where else “enay” appears

Translation note

Up to “of David” is the title. The first line is difficult: it can be understood that transgression itself “speaks” to the wicked like an oracle. The Hebrew text says “within my heart” (לִבִּי); “his heart” (לִבּוֹ) is written with a single different letter. Romans 3:18 quotes the second line.

Parallel passages

Other books that tell the same thing or quote these words.

The context