Psalms 36:6
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Psalm 36 is a Davidic psalm that contrasts the wicked person's self-deception with God's unfailing love and faithfulness. Ancient Near Eastern peoples often associated mountains with the dwelling places of gods—Mount Olympus for Greeks, Mount Zaphon for Canaanites. David's use of mountain imagery would resonate with his audience while affirming that Israel's God alone possesses true, immovable righteousness.
The concept of the "great deep" (tehom) connects to ancient creation theology and flood narratives. Unlike pagan myths where the deep represented chaos gods to be conquered, Israel understood the deep as God's creation, under His sovereign control. This verse affirms that even the most mysterious aspects of God's providence serve His righteous purposes.
The phrase "man and beast" reflects the comprehensive scope of God's covenant care established in the Noahic covenant (Genesis 9). In an agricultural society dependent on livestock, God's preservation of animals was not merely sentimental but essential for human survival. This verse would comfort Israel during times of drought, famine, or military threat, assuring them that the same God who maintains cosmic order also sustains daily life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God's righteousness as unmovable as mountains affect your trust in Him during moral confusion or injustice?
- When God's judgments seem unfathomably deep and mysterious, how can you maintain faith in His goodness and wisdom?
- In what ways does God's care for both humanity and animals challenge modern attitudes toward creation and environmental stewardship?
- How does this verse's combination of God's transcendent majesty and intimate care shape your prayer life and relationship with Him?
- What specific situations in your life require you to trust in God's preservation even when His ways seem beyond understanding?
Analysis & Commentary
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep. This verse uses two powerful nature metaphors to express the incomprehensible magnitude of God's attributes. The Hebrew word tsedaqah (צְדָקָה, "righteousness") refers to God's perfect moral character and His faithful adherence to covenant promises. Comparing it to "the great mountains" (hararei El, הַרְרֵי־אֵל, literally "mountains of God") suggests something majestic, immovable, eternal, and towering above all earthly standards. Ancient mountains were symbols of permanence and divine dwelling places.
The parallel phrase "thy judgments are a great deep" uses mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ, "judgments") to describe God's decisions, decrees, and providential ordering of events. The "great deep" (tehom rabbah, תְּהוֹם רַבָּה) echoes the primordial waters of Genesis 1:2, suggesting unfathomable depth and mystery. While God's righteousness is visible and stable like mountains, His judgments often remain mysterious and beyond human comprehension.
O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. This declaration reveals God's universal providence extending to all creatures. The verb yasha (יָשַׁע, "preservest") means to save, deliver, or preserve. Despite the incomprehensibility of God's ways, His care is tangible and practical, sustaining all life. This echoes God's covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:9-10) and anticipates Christ's teaching that God feeds the birds and clothes the grass (Matthew 6:26-30). The juxtaposition of transcendent majesty with immanent care reveals the beautiful paradox of biblical theology.