Psalms 36:6

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

Thy righteousness {H6666} is like the great {H410} mountains {H2042}; thy judgments {H4941} are a great {H7227} deep {H8415}: O LORD {H3068}, thou preservest {H3467} man {H120} and beast {H929}.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, your judgments are like the great deep. You save man and beast, ADONAI.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

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

Commentary

Psalms 36:6 beautifully illustrates the profound attributes of God through powerful natural metaphors, emphasizing His righteousness, His judgments, and His universal care for creation. This verse offers a glimpse into the vastness and reliability of the Divine character.

Context

Psalm 36 is attributed to David and presents a stark contrast between the pervasive wickedness of humanity (verses 1-4) and the glorious, boundless attributes of God (verses 5-9). Verse 6 specifically focuses on God's inherent qualities of justice and wisdom, transitioning into a declaration of His active preservation of all life. It sets the stage for the psalmist's subsequent appeal to God's unfailing love and salvation.

Key Themes

  • God's Immeasurable Righteousness: The phrase "Thy righteousness [is] like the great mountains" conveys God's righteousness as something immense, unshakeable, enduring, and visibly majestic. It signifies the steadfastness of His character, akin to His perfect justice and faithfulness. Just as mountains provide a firm foundation and are visible from afar, so too is God's moral perfection evident and unmoving.
  • God's Profound Judgments: "thy judgments [are] a great deep" speaks to the unfathomable nature of God's decrees, wisdom, and ways. Like the ocean's depths, God's judgments are vast, mysterious, and beyond full human comprehension. This doesn't imply arbitrary or hidden decisions, but rather a wisdom that reflects the unsearchable depths of His wisdom and knowledge, which are always just and right, even when their reasons are not immediately apparent to us.
  • God's Universal Preservation: The declaration "O LORD, thou preservest man and beast" highlights God's active providential care for all creation. This demonstrates His benevolence and commitment to sustaining life, not just for humanity but for all living creatures. It underscores His role as the ultimate Sustainer and Provider, ensuring the continuation of His created order.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "righteousness," tzedeq (צֶדֶק), denotes moral rectitude, justice, and faithfulness, often emphasizing God's adherence to His own perfect standard. "Judgments," mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים), refers to divine decrees, ordinances, or acts of justice and governance. The use of "great mountains" (הַרְרֵי־אֵל - harerei-el, literally "mountains of God" or "mighty mountains") and "great deep" (תְּהוֹם רַבָּה - tehom rabbah) employs superlative imagery from the natural world to convey immense scale and profound mystery, respectively.

Practical Application

Psalms 36:6 offers immense comfort and a call to worship. Understanding God's righteousness as stable and unshakeable provides a firm foundation for trust in a chaotic world. Knowing His judgments are profoundly wise, even when mysterious, encourages humility and faith in His ultimate plan. Furthermore, the assurance that the LORD preserves both man and beast reminds us of His constant, benevolent care, inviting us to rest in His providence. This verse encourages us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and acknowledge the vast, sustaining power and goodness of our Creator.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 77:19 (5 votes)

    Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

  • Romans 11:33 (5 votes)

    ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • 1 Timothy 4:10 (4 votes)

    For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

  • Psalms 71:19 (4 votes)

    Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto thee!

  • Isaiah 45:19 (3 votes)

    I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

  • Psalms 92:5 (3 votes)

    O LORD, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep.

  • Psalms 145:9 (3 votes)

    The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works.