Bible Strands
Psalms 36:4
Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist describes the habitual conduct of a wicked person in direct contrast to the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
The words — אָוֶן ('A.ven) translates to wickedness, and יַחְשֹׁב (yach.sho) means he plans or plots.
The thread — This description of bed-bound scheming appears in Proverbs 4:16 and Micah 2:1, while Isaiah 65:2 parallels the theme of persistently walking in the wrong path.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of a person’s unrepentant orientation toward evil and serves as a foil to divine faithfulness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
- Micah 2:1 Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.
- Isaiah 65:2 All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,
- Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
- Psalms 97:10 Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
- Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
- Acts 23:12 When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
- Revelation 2:2 I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles.
- Amos 5:15 Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
- Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?