Psalms 36:4
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
Original Language Analysis
אָ֤וֶן׀
mischief
H205
אָ֤וֶן׀
mischief
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
1 of 12
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
יַחְשֹׁ֗ב
He deviseth
H2803
יַחְשֹׁ֗ב
He deviseth
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִשְׁכָּ֫ב֥וֹ
upon his bed
H4904
מִשְׁכָּ֫ב֥וֹ
upon his bed
Strong's:
H4904
Word #:
4 of 12
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
יִ֭תְיַצֵּב
he setteth
H3320
יִ֭תְיַצֵּב
he setteth
Strong's:
H3320
Word #:
5 of 12
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
himself in a way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
himself in a way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ט֑וֹב
that is not good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
that is not good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
9 of 12
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Proverbs 4:16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.Micah 2:1Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.Isaiah 65:2I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;Romans 12:9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.Revelation 2:2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:Psalms 97:10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.Acts 23:12And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.Romans 1:32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.Matthew 27:1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:Amos 5:15Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom recognized the bed as a place of meditation (Psalm 4:4, 63:6). The wicked pervert this opportunity, using solitude for plotting rather than examining their ways before God.
Questions for Reflection
- What occupies your thoughts during quiet moments—worship, worry, or wrongdoing?
- How can you cultivate holy abhorrence of evil rather than accommodation?
Analysis & Commentary
Plotting evil 'upon his bed' reveals premeditation—the wicked use rest times for scheming rather than reflection or prayer. 'He setteth himself in a way that is not good' indicates deliberate choice and persistence in evil direction. The climax 'he abhorreth not evil' shows complete moral inversion—not merely doing wrong but losing revulsion toward it. This describes total depravity where conscience is seared (1 Timothy 4:2) and evil becomes normalized.