Psalm 36:1
New International Version
For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

New Living Translation
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.

English Standard Version
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes.

King James Bible
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.

New American Standard Bible
For the music director. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. Wrongdoing speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.

NASB 1995
For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.

NASB 1977
Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. Of the servant of Yahweh, of David. Transgression declares to the ungodly within his heart; There is no dread of God before his eyes.

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. Transgression speaks [like an oracle] to the wicked (godless) [deep] within his heart; There is no fear (dread) of God before his eyes.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. Of David, the L ord ’s servant. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked person: Dread of God has no effect on him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A psalm of David, the LORD’s servant. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked person: There is no dread of God before his eyes,

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of Jehovah. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes.

Contemporary English Version
Sinners don't respect God; sin is all they think about.

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; by David, the LORD's servant.] There is an inspired truth about the wicked person who has rebellion in the depths of his heart: He is not terrified of God.

Good News Translation
Sin speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; they reject God and do not have reverence for him.

International Standard Version
An oracle that came to me about the transgressions of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes.

NET Bible
For the music director; written by the LORD's servant, David; an oracle. An evil man is rebellious to the core. He does not fear God,

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. By David, the servant of the LORD.] Transgression speaks to the wicked within his heart. There is no fear of God before his eyes.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. By David, the servant of Yahweh. A revelation is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. BY A SERVANT OF YHWH, BY DAVID. The transgression of the wicked "" Is affirming within my heart, “Fear of God is not before his eyes,

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- By a servant of Jehovah, by David. The transgression of the wicked Is affirming within my heart, 'Fear of God is not before his eyes,

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer, to the servant of Jehovah: to David. A song of transgression to the unjust one in the midst of my heart, no fear of God before his eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, for the servant of God, David himself. The unjust hath said within himself, that he would sin : there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. To the servant of the Lord, David himself. The unjust one has said within himself that he would commit offenses. There is no fear of God before his eyes.

New American Bible
For the leader. Of David, the servant of the LORD. [2] Sin directs the heart of the wicked man; his eyes are closed to the fear of God.

New Revised Standard Version
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THE unjust conceives wickedness within his heart, for there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The wicked conceives evil in his heart because the awesomeness of God is not before his eyes.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. Transgression speaketh to the wicked, methinks-- There is no fear of God before his eyes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, by David the servant of the Lord. The transgressor, that he may sin, says within himself, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Transgression of the Wicked
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.…

Cross References
Romans 3:18
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 8:13
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Job 15:16
how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?

Jeremiah 2:19
Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Isaiah 57:11
Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?

Romans 1:28-32
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

Proverbs 16:6
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

Jeremiah 5:22-24
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it. / But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away. / They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains, both autumn and spring, in season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’

Isaiah 59:7-8
Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. / The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace.

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Ephesians 4:18-19
They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. / Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.


Treasury of Scripture

The transgression of the wicked said within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

A.

servant

Psalm 18:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Psalm 90:1
A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

Psalm 143:12
And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

The transgression.

1 Samuel 15:13,14
And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD…

Proverbs 20:11
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Matthew 7:16-20
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? …

no

Psalm 112:1
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Genesis 20:11
And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Jump to Previous
Affirming Chief Choirmaster David Deep Director Disobedience Evil-Doer Eyes Fear God Heart Leader Music Musician Music-Maker Oracle Overseer Psalm Servant Sin Sinfulness Speaks Transgression Ungodly Wicked Within
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Affirming Chief Choirmaster David Deep Director Disobedience Evil-Doer Eyes Fear God Heart Leader Music Musician Music-Maker Oracle Overseer Psalm Servant Sin Sinfulness Speaks Transgression Ungodly Wicked Within
Psalm 36
1. The grievous state of the wicked
8. The excellence of God's mercy
10. David prays for favor to God's children














Transgression speaks
The Hebrew word for "transgression" is "pesha," which implies a willful rebellion against divine authority. In the context of Psalm 36:1, this suggests an active, conscious decision to defy God's laws. The phrase "speaks" indicates that sin is not silent; it communicates and influences the heart and mind, often leading individuals away from righteousness. Historically, this reflects the persistent struggle of Israel with idolatry and disobedience, as seen throughout the Old Testament.

to the wicked
The term "wicked" in Hebrew is "rasha," referring to those who are morally wrong or guilty. This is not merely about actions but a state of being that is contrary to God's nature. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the inherent sinfulness of humanity without the redemptive work of Christ. The wicked are those who have not turned to God for forgiveness and transformation.

deep in his heart
The "heart" in Hebrew thought is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. The phrase "deep in his heart" suggests that transgression is not superficial but deeply rooted within the individual. This aligns with the biblical understanding that sin originates from within, as Jesus taught in the Gospels (e.g., Mark 7:21-23). It underscores the need for a heart transformation through the Holy Spirit.

there is no fear of God
The "fear of God" is a foundational concept in Scripture, often associated with reverence, awe, and obedience to the Lord. The absence of this fear indicates a lack of respect and acknowledgment of God's authority and holiness. Historically, this was a recurring issue for Israel, leading to judgment and exile. In a conservative Christian view, the fear of God is essential for wisdom and righteous living, as emphasized in Proverbs 9:10.

before his eyes
This phrase suggests a deliberate choice to ignore or reject God's presence and authority. "Before his eyes" implies that the wicked are aware of God but choose to live as if He does not exist or matter. This reflects the biblical theme of spiritual blindness and the need for divine illumination. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the light of the world, bringing sight to the spiritually blind (John 8:12).

(1) The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart . . .--The literal rendering of the present Hebrew text is, An utterance of sin to the wicked within my heart. The common phrase rendered in our version, "Thus saith Jehovah," is here imitated, "Thus saith sin." "To the wicked" cannot, as some explain, mean "concerning the wicked." The only possible meaning of the text as it stands is therefore, "Thus saith sin to (me) the wicked man in my heart." But there can be no question that the psalmist wrote "in his heart," since ail the ancient versions, with the exception of the Chaldee Paraphrase, followed this reading, and some MSS. still show it. This gives us a very fine sense. Sin is personified as the evil counsellor or prompter sitting in the heart of the wicked to suggest evil thoughts: Sin in the wicked man's heart is his oracle. Conscience is on the wrong side.

There is no fear . . .--This is not the suggestion of sin just mentioned, but an explanation of the condition into which the wicked man has sunk. Impiety and irreverence have so corrupted his nature, that sin has become his oracle.

Verse 1. - The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart. This is a difficult passage. In the first place, the text is uncertain, since some manuscripts have לבו, "his heart," in the place of לבי, "my heart." And further, whichever reading we prefer, the meaning is far from clear. Dr. Kay translates, "Transgression's oracle to the wicked is, 'In the interior of my own heart;'" and understands the meaning to be that the sinfulness of the wicked man deludes him into the belief that his wickedness is known to no one but himself - it is all safely locked up in the recesses of his own heart. Professor Alexander suggests as possible, "Thus saith depravity to the wicked man, 'In the midst of my heart, there is no fear of God before his (i.e. God's) eyes.'" Others, preferring לבו to לבי, render, "Transgression speaks to the wicked within his heart; There is no fear of God," etc.; regarding the two clauses as perfectly independent the one of the ether. This is, perhaps, the best explanation. There is no fear of God before his eyes. Either he belongs to the class of "fools, who say in their heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1), or he agrees with those who cry, "Tush, God hath forgotten: he hideth away his face; he will never see it" (Psalm 10:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ ׀ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

A Psalm of David,
לְדָוִֽד׃ (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

the servant
לְעֶֽבֶד־ (lə·‘e·ḇeḏ-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of the LORD.
יְהוָ֬ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

An oracle
נְאֻֽם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

is in
בְּקֶ֣רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

my heart
לִבִּ֑י (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

regarding the transgression
פֶּ֣שַׁע (pe·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6588: Transgression

of the wicked man:
לָ֭רָשָׁע (lā·rā·šā‘)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

There is no
אֵֽין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

fear
פַּ֥חַד (pa·ḥaḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6343: A, alarm

of God
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

before
לְנֶ֣גֶד (lə·ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

his eyes.
עֵינָֽיו׃ (‘ê·nāw)
Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT Poetry: Psalm 36:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 35:28
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