Psalms 36:4

He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way [that is] not good; he abhorreth not evil.

He deviseth {H2803} mischief {H205} upon his bed {H4904}; he setteth {H3320}{H8691)} himself in a way {H1870} that is not good {H2896}; he abhorreth {H3988}{H8799)} not evil {H7451}.

He devises trouble as he lies in bed; so set is he on his own bad way that he doesn't hate evil.

Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.

He deviseth iniquity upon his bed; He setteth himself in a way that is not good; He abhorreth not evil.

Psalm 36:4 offers a stark portrayal of the unregenerate heart, focusing on the internal disposition and deliberate actions of a wicked individual. This verse, part of a psalm that contrasts human wickedness with God's boundless goodness, reveals the depth of moral corruption that can take root in a person's life.

Context

This verse is found within Psalm 36, a psalm attributed to David. The initial verses (1-4) describe the character of the wicked, their transgression, and their self-deception, setting a grim backdrop against which the psalmist then extols the glorious attributes of God (verses 5-9). The contrast is stark: human depravity versus divine righteousness and love. Verse 4 specifically delves into the inner workings and conscious choices of the person who has no fear of God before their eyes, as mentioned in Psalm 36:1.

Key Themes

  • Deliberate Evil: The phrase "He deviseth mischief upon his bed" highlights the premeditated nature of sin. It's not a spontaneous act but a carefully considered plan, even in moments of rest or solitude. This speaks to a mind actively engaged in plotting wrongdoing, similar to the "heart that deviseth wicked imaginations" mentioned in Proverbs 6:18.
  • Chosen Path of Sin: "He setteth himself in a way [that is] not good" emphasizes a conscious and willful decision to pursue a sinful course of life. This is a deliberate rejection of righteousness and a firm commitment to ungodly practices, suggesting a lack of desire for repentance.
  • Absence of Moral Repulsion: "He abhorreth not evil" reveals a profound spiritual insensitivity. The wicked person doesn't merely commit evil; they have no aversion or hatred for it. This indicates a hardened conscience, where the distinction between right and wrong has been blurred or entirely erased, a state contrary to what is encouraged in Romans 12:9 which states we should "abhor that which is evil."

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "mischief" is אָוֶן (aven), which carries connotations of trouble, sorrow, wickedness, or iniquity. It suggests not just harm, but a morally corrupt act. The idea of "devising" (ḥāshav) speaks to a mental calculation or invention, indicating a thoughtful process behind the wrongdoing.
  • "Abhorreth not evil" uses the verb שָׂנֵא (sane'), meaning "to hate." The negative construction emphasizes a complete lack of moral disgust or revulsion towards wickedness. This isn't just tolerance; it's an absence of the natural human inclination (or divine command) to hate what is wrong.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning and a call to self-examination for believers today. It highlights the danger of allowing sinful thoughts to fester and develop into deliberate actions. For a Christian, the heart should be a place where God's law is written (Jeremiah 31:33), and evil should be actively despised, not tolerated. It encourages us to:

  • Guard our thoughts: Our inner world is where sin often begins. We must bring every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
  • Choose righteousness: We are called to "set ourselves" in a way that is good, actively pursuing holiness and walking in God's path, rather than yielding to temptation.
  • Cultivate a hatred for evil: True spiritual health includes a genuine aversion to sin and a love for what is righteous, reflecting God's own character.

Understanding the depth of human depravity described in Psalms 36:4 underscores the profound necessity and beauty of God's grace and salvation.

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.

  • Micah 2:1

    ¶ Woe 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.

  • Proverbs 4:16

    For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.

  • Romans 12:9

    [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

  • Isaiah 65:2

    I 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;

  • Revelation 2:2

    I 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 97:10

    Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

  • Amos 5:15

    Hate 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.

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