Meaning of Psalms 36:6

This verse from Psalm 36 powerfully extols the immensity and enduring nature of God's character, specifically his righteousness and justice, likening them to the most imposing natural phenomena. The psalmist uses hyperbole to convey that God's moral uprightness and his fair dealings are not merely present but are vast, unbreachable, and foundational to his being and his governance of creation. The latter part of the verse extends this praise to God's providential care, affirming that he sustains and protects all of his creation, both humanity and the animal kingdom.

Context and Background

Psalm 36 is a psalm of lament and praise, often attributed to David. It begins with a stark contrast between the wicked, whose sin is deeply ingrained, and the righteous, who find refuge in God. The first half of the psalm (verses 1-4) describes the deceitful and corrupt nature of the wicked, highlighting their self-deception and their disregard for God. Against this backdrop of human failing, verses 5-9 erupt in a declaration of God's overwhelming goodness, righteousness, and justice. This specific verse serves as the apex of this praise, establishing the absolute and infinite qualities of God in opposition to the limited and corrupt nature of man.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Immensity: The metaphors of "highest mountains" and "great deep" are intentional. Mountains represent height, permanence, and unreachability, while the deep signifies unfathomable depth and vastness. These images communicate that God's righteousness and justice are not limited or superficial but are absolute, profound, and eternal.
• Unwavering Justice and Righteousness: God's righteousness is his perfect moral character, and his justice is the practical outworking of that character in his dealings with creation. The verse asserts that these attributes are not only present but are the very foundation of his being and his actions. They are unchanging and utterly reliable.
• Universal Providence: The concluding statement, "You, Lord, preserve both people and animals," shifts the focus from God's inherent character to his active care for his creation. It emphasizes that his governance extends to all living beings, underscoring his role as sustainer and protector.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse offers profound assurance to believers. It means that in a world often characterized by injustice and moral ambiguity, God's character remains a constant and unassailable standard. His righteousness is the basis of our hope for salvation and reconciliation, and his justice assures us that he will ultimately set all things right. Furthermore, the affirmation of his universal providence encourages trust and reliance on God for daily needs and protection. It reminds us that we, and all creatures, are held within his loving and watchful care.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Psalm 36:6 resonates with the overarching biblical narrative of God's sovereignty and his covenant faithfulness. From the creation account, where God declared his work "good," to the establishment of law and the promises of redemption, God's righteousness and justice are consistently portrayed as foundational. The New Testament further elaborates on this, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies God's righteousness and through whom God's justice is satisfied and mercy is extended. The preservation of people and animals also echoes God's initial mandate to humanity to care for creation and his ongoing commitment to sustaining life.

Analogies

• Righteousness as Mountains: Imagine trying to move a mountain; it is an impossible task for humans. Similarly, God's righteousness is an unmovable standard against which all things are measured. It is the bedrock of his throne.
• Justice as the Great Deep: Consider the vastness of the ocean; its depths are largely unexplored and immeasurable. God's justice is similarly profound and comprehensive, encompassing all of creation and all of time. We cannot plumb its full extent.
• Providence as a Shepherd: Just as a shepherd watches over his flock, guiding, feeding, and protecting them, God actively preserves and sustains all living creatures.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse finds resonance with numerous other biblical passages:

• Deuteronomy 32:4: "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without error, he is righteous and upright." This verse shares the emphasis on God's perfect and just ways.
• Psalm 11:7: "For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face." This highlights the connection between God's righteousness and the reward for the righteous.
• Proverbs 15:3: "The Lord's eyes are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good." This echoes the theme of God's omnipresent watchfulness and preservation.
• Matthew 5:45: Jesus states that God "sends his rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous." This illustrates the universal aspect of God's providential care mentioned in Psalm 36:6.
• Romans 3:25-26: Paul speaks of God presenting Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, "through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be both righteous and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." This passage elaborates on the demonstration of God's righteousness through the atoning work of Christ.