Psalms 36:11

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

Let not the foot {H7272} of pride {H1346} come {H935} against me, and let not the hand {H3027} of the wicked {H7563} remove {H5110}{H8686)} me.

Don't let the foot of the proud tread on me or the hands of the wicked drive me away.

Let not the foot of the proud come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Psalms 36:11 is a prayer for divine protection from the attacks of the proud and the wicked. It is a plea for God's intervention against human arrogance and malicious intent.

Context

Psalm 36, attributed to David, begins by describing the pervasive nature of wickedness and how the ungodly have no fear of God (Psalms 36:1). In stark contrast, verses 5-9 extol the magnificent attributes of God – His mercy, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgment – which extend to the heavens. The psalm highlights God as the source of life and light (Psalms 36:9). Verse 10 is a prayer asking God to continue showing His lovingkindness and righteousness to those who know Him. Verse 11 follows immediately, presenting a specific request for protection from the forces of evil described in the opening verses.

Key Themes

  • Protection from Pride: The "foot of pride" symbolizes the aggressive, forward movement of arrogant people who seek to dominate or harm others. The prayer asks God to prevent their arrogant actions from succeeding against the psalmist.
  • Protection from the Wicked: The "hand of the wicked" represents the power, influence, or destructive actions of those who are morally corrupt and oppose God. The psalmist asks that their efforts to "remove" (displace, destroy, or overthrow) him be thwarted.
  • Reliance on God's Safeguarding Power: The verse is a direct appeal to God, acknowledging that only His divine power can effectively stand against the force of human pride and wickedness. It is an expression of trust in God as the ultimate protector.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "foot of pride" (Hebrew: רֶגֶל גַּאֲוָה, regel ga'avah) vividly pictures arrogant opposition as a forceful, trampling movement. The "hand of the wicked" (Hebrew: יַד רְשָׁעִים, yad resha'im) signifies the active power or grasp of ungodly individuals seeking to harm or displace the righteous.

Reflection

Psalms 36:11 serves as a timeless prayer for believers facing opposition from arrogant or malicious people. It reminds us that pride often manifests in actions designed to hurt or overthrow others. When confronted by such forces, our recourse is not primarily in our own strength but in appealing to God, whose mercy and faithfulness are higher than the heavens. We can pray this verse, asking God to restrain the proud and the wicked and to keep us secure in His care, preventing their schemes from removing us from our standing or purpose.

It encourages us to place our trust in God's ability to protect us from both the subtle influence of pride and the overt attacks of those who oppose righteousness. Just as the psalmist sought refuge in God, we too can find security under His mighty hand.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 16:8

    ¶ I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

  • Psalms 123:3

    Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

  • Psalms 123:4

    Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, [and] with the contempt of the proud.

  • Psalms 119:51

    ¶ The proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law.

  • Psalms 119:122

    Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

  • Psalms 17:8

    ¶ Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

  • Psalms 17:14

    From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.

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