Psalm 36 10

Psalm 36:10 kjv

O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 36:10 nkjv

Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 36:10 niv

Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 36:10 esv

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

Psalm 36:10 nlt

Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you;
give justice to those with honest hearts.

Psalm 36 verses

Psalm 36 10 Meaning

Psalm 36:10 is a heartfelt prayer requesting God's continued demonstration of His divine attributes to those who live in genuine relationship with Him. It asks for God to perpetually extend His unfailing covenant love ("lovingkindness") to those who deeply "know" Him through experience and faithfulness. Simultaneously, it pleads for God to maintain His inherent "righteousness"—His perfect justice, faithfulness, and salvific action—towards those who possess integrity and moral sincerity, having "upright hearts" before Him. The verse encapsulates a plea for God's steadfast character to continually benefit His faithful people.

Psalm 36 10 Context

Psalm 36 contrasts the inherent wickedness and self-deception of godless individuals (Psa 36:1-4) with the majestic, infinite attributes of God (Psa 36:5-9). The first section describes the depth of human sin, highlighting its deceptive nature and destructive outcomes. The second section (Psa 36:5-9) pivots dramatically, exalting God's immense "lovingkindness," "faithfulness," "righteousness," and "judgments," emphasizing Him as the source of "life" and "light."Verse 10 transitions from extolling God's character to a personal prayer. Having described God's boundless attributes, the psalmist now intercedes, asking that these very qualities—specifically His lovingkindness and righteousness—be continually extended to those who authentically "know" and genuinely serve Him. The historical context is generally that of the Israelite community, acknowledging Yahweh as the one true God amidst surrounding pagan polytheistic beliefs. While not a direct polemic, the psalm implicitly contrasts Yahweh's perfectly reliable and saving attributes with the arbitrary or amoral qualities often attributed to pagan deities or the fleeting, deceptive paths of the wicked. It establishes a strong emphasis on relationship and internal disposition over mere ritual.

Psalm 36 10 Word analysis

• "Oh," (הָמְשֵׁךְ - hâmšêḵ - verb, imperative): Not a direct translation of "Oh," but rather implied by the imperative verb form. The Hebrew verb is mashak (מָשַׁךְ), meaning "to draw, extend, prolong, continue." Here, in the imperative Hiphil stem, it means "Cause to be prolonged/continued." It conveys a strong plea or earnest desire, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the requested divine action. It is a passionate, persistent appeal for God's enduring presence and favor.

• "continue Your lovingkindness" (חַסְדְּךָ - ḥasdekā):

  • "Your lovingkindness": The pivotal Hebrew word is ḥesed (חֶסֶד), often translated as "steadfast love," "unfailing love," "mercy," "loyal love," or "covenant loyalty." It is a multi-faceted term describing God's active, faithful, and persistent love for His people, rooted in His covenant relationship with them. It is not mere emotion, but loyalty and gracious action, particularly when underserved. It speaks of God's reliability and devotion to those He has chosen and to His promises.

• "to those who know You," (לְיֹדְעֶיךָ - lĕyod‘ekā):

  • "those who know You": From the Hebrew verb yada (יָדַע), "to know." This "knowing" is not merely intellectual recognition or factual acquaintance but implies a deep, personal, relational, experiential, and often covenantal knowledge. It speaks of an intimate relationship of fellowship, trust, and obedience, akin to the way a husband "knows" his wife. This is a profound, life-transforming knowledge that impacts one's character and conduct.

• "and Your righteousness" (וְצִדְקָתֶךָ - wetsiḏqātekā):

  • "and": Connects God's lovingkindness with His righteousness, showing they flow from the same divine nature and are extended together.
  • "Your righteousness": From the Hebrew noun tsedaqah (צְדָקָה). This term refers to God's inherent moral purity, His perfect justice, and His faithfulness to His own nature and covenant. In the biblical context, God's righteousness is often active and salvific; it is how He vindicates His people, judges evil, and sets things right according to His holy standards. It guarantees His fidelity and uprightness in all His dealings.

• "to the upright in heart!" (לְיִשְׁרֵי־לֵב - lîshrey-lēḇ):

  • "to the upright": From the Hebrew yashar (יָשָׁר), meaning "straight, level, right, honest, righteous, innocent." It describes moral integrity, sincerity, and consistency. It is the opposite of crookedness, deceit, or hypocrisy.
  • "in heart": The Hebrew lev (לֵב) or lebab refers to the innermost being of a person—the seat of their intellect, emotions, will, conscience, and moral character. An "upright heart" signifies spiritual integrity, a pure motivation, sincerity before God, and a will aligned with His commands, rather than outward conformity alone. This group closely parallels "those who know You," suggesting a unity between true spiritual knowledge and integrity of life.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "continue Your lovingkindness... to those who know You": This pairing highlights that God's covenant loyalty (lovingkindness) is not indiscriminate but extended to those who genuinely seek, respond to, and abide in a relationship with Him. It underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant, where God’s commitment is met by human knowing and devotion.
  • "and Your righteousness to the upright in heart": This parallelism reinforces the connection between God's saving and faithful justice and the integrity of His people. God's rectitude is manifested towards those whose inward character is sincere and aligned with His truth, vindicating them and guiding them on a righteous path. It speaks to God upholding and delivering those who live with sincerity and moral probity.

Psalm 36 10 Bonus section

The placement of this prayer after such a vivid contrast between the wicked and God’s character highlights a key theological point: while humanity's fallen state is dire, God's attributes are limitless and offer ultimate hope. The prayer serves as an intercession, recognizing that believers continually need God's attributes manifested in their lives for sustenance and protection. It also subtly emphasizes the reciprocal nature of covenant relationship – God's steadfastness is offered to those who, through grace, pursue knowledge of Him and live with integrity. The shift from declaratory praise (Psa 36:5-9) to an imperative plea in Psa 36:10 marks a move from theology to supplication, making the grand truths of God's character personally applicable and urgently desired by the faithful heart.

Psalm 36 10 Commentary

Psalm 36:10 is a prayer arising from the contemplation of God's immense character. The psalmist moves from awe at God's cosmic lovingkindness and righteousness (Psa 36:5-9) to an earnest petition for these attributes to be continually experienced by a specific group: those who "know Him" and are "upright in heart." This shows that while God's attributes are boundless, their salvific and beneficent expression is channeled towards His covenant people.

The prayer for "lovingkindness" (hesed) speaks to a longing for God's steadfast, covenantal faithfulness to be ceaseless in their lives—His mercy, His enduring love, His protective care. It is an appeal for God to keep being Himself for them. Likewise, the request for "righteousness" (tsedaqah) is not just about abstract justice but God's active vindication, His faithfulness to set things right for those who belong to Him. This righteousness guards, guides, and preserves.

The dual description of the recipients—"those who know You" and "the upright in heart"—is crucial. "Knowing God" goes beyond intellectual assent; it implies a transformative, intimate relationship marked by personal experience and covenant loyalty. "Upright in heart" refers to sincerity and integrity, contrasting with the deceptive heart of the wicked detailed earlier in the psalm. It signifies an internal disposition of moral rectitude, where one’s motives and inner character are pure and sincere before God. The psalmist is not asking God to become more loving or righteous, but to continue demonstrating these existing, immutable divine qualities towards His faithful servants. It reflects a deep understanding that the divine benefits are contingent on a genuine, sincere relationship with the Divine. This prayer, therefore, encapsulates both deep faith in God's nature and a clear understanding of the posture of heart required to experience His continued favor.