Psalms 36:4

4 Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.

Psalms 36:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
ESV
4 He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.
NLT
4 They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil.
MSG
4 Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil plot. When he's loose on the streets, nobody's safe. He plays with fire and doesn't care who gets burned.
CSB
4 Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. He sets himself on a path that is not good and does not reject evil.

Psalms 36:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 36:4

He deviseth mischief upon his bed
He casts about in his mind on his pillow, when at leisure from all employment; and consults and contrives schemes how to compass his lusts, and to do injury to others, without doing which he cannot sleep;

he setteth himself in a way [that is] not good,
in an evil way, which he chooses and delights in, and determines to continue in, he leaving the paths of righteousness to walk in the ways of darkness:

he abhorreth not evil;
which is to be abhorred both because of its nature and effects; see ( Romans 12:9 ) ; but on the contrary he loves it, takes pleasure in doing it, and in them that commit it: thus, by his thoughts, words, and actions, he appears to be devoid of the fear of God.

Psalms 36:4 In-Context

2 In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.
3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.
4 Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.
5 Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Proverbs 4:16; Micah 2:1
  • 2. Isaiah 65:2
  • 3. Psalms 52:3; Romans 12:9
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