Psalms 36:3 (KJV)

What does Psalms 36:3 mean?

Psalms 36:3 describes a person whose speech is full of wrongdoing and lies, and who has abandoned the pursuit of wisdom and doing what is right. The verse highlights a turning away from good character, shown both in words and in actions.

In this psalm, David is speaking about the wicked—people who have chosen a path opposed to God’s ways. The verse points out that their harmful words (“iniquity and deceit”) are not accidental, but flow from a deeper rejection of wisdom and goodness. This is part of a larger description of how evil develops in a person’s life, starting from the heart and showing up in speech and behavior.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 36:3

• iniquity (אָוֶן, 'aven'): This word often means trouble, wickedness, or moral evil. In this verse, it emphasizes that the person’s words are not just false but deeply wrong.
• deceit (מִרְמָה, mirmah): This term points to intentional deception or trickery. The verse stresses that the person’s speech is not just mistaken but deliberately misleading.
• left off (חָדַל, chadal): This verb means to stop or cease. The verse uses it to show a conscious decision to no longer seek wisdom or do good.
• wise (שָׂכַל, sakal) and good (יָטַב, yatav): These words highlight what has been abandoned—living thoughtfully and choosing what is right.

Why Psalms 36:3 matters

• Psalms 36:3 clarifies that evil is not just about actions but also about the words a person chooses, showing how speech reveals the heart.
• The verse connects the idea of turning away from wisdom and goodness with the rise of deceitful and harmful speech, helping readers see the link between inner choices and outward behavior.
• In the context of the psalm, this verse is part of a warning about the progression of wickedness, setting up a contrast with God’s steadfast love and faithfulness described later in the passage.