Psalms 36:6

Authorized King James Version

Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
צִדְקָֽתְךָ֙׀
Thy righteousness
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
#2
כְּֽהַרְרֵי
mountains
a mountain
#3
אֵ֗ל
is like the great
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
#4
מִ֭שְׁפָּטֶיךָ
thy judgments
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#5
תְּה֣וֹם
deep
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
#6
רַבָּ֑ה
are a great
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#7
אָ֤דָֽם
man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#8
וּבְהֵמָ֖ה
and beast
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
#9
תוֹשִׁ֣יעַ
thou preservest
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#10
יְהוָֽה׃
O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing righteousness contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes righteousness in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection