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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 36:3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/36-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_036_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 36:3 - The Transgression of the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/36-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/36-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/36.htm">Chapter 36</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/36-2.htm" title="Psalm 36:2">◄</a> Psalm 36:3 <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm" title="Psalm 36:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/36.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/36.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/36.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/36.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/36.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/36.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth <i>are</i> iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, <i>and</i> to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/36.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The words of his mouth <i>are</i> wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise <i>and</i> to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/36.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise <i>and</i> to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/36.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/36.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise <i>and</i> to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/36.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to consider to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/36.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; He has ceased to be wise <i>and</i> to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/36.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/36.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/36.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: He hath ceased to be wise and to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/36.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They tell deceitful lies, and they don't have the sense to live right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/36.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise and to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/36.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The words from his mouth are [nothing but] trouble and deception. He has stopped doing what is wise and good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/36.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Their speech is wicked and full of lies; they no longer do what is wise and good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/36.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The words from his mouth are vain and deceptive. He has abandoned behaving wisely and doing good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/36.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/36.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/36.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/36.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath ceased to be wise, and to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/36.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/36.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of his mouth [are] iniquity and deceit, "" He ceased to act prudently—to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/36.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit, He ceased to act prudently -- to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/36.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The words of his mouth vanity and deceit: he ceased to be circumspect, to do good.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/36.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and guile : he would not understand that he might do well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/36.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 35:4>The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He is unwilling to understand, so that he may act well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/36.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Empty and false are the words of his mouth; he has ceased to be wise and do good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/36.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/36.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; he is unwilling to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/36.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The answer of his mouth is disease and deceit and he does not want to do good.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/36.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; He hath left off to be wise, to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/36.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are transgression and deceit: he is not inclined to understand <i>how</i> to do good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/36-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4026" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/36.htm">The Transgression of the Wicked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê- (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">The words</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p̄îw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">of his mouth</a> <a href="/hebrew/205.htm" title="205: ’ā·wen (N-ms) -- From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant; strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol.">are wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/4820.htm" title="4820: ū·mir·māh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Deceit, treachery. From ramah in the sense of deceiving; fraud.">and deceitful;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2308.htm" title="2308: ḥā·ḏal (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To cease. A primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. desist; be lacking or idle.">he has ceased</a> <a href="/hebrew/7919.htm" title="7919: lə·haś·kîl (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be, circumspect, intelligent. A primitive root; to be circumspect and hence, intelligent.">to be wise</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: lə·hê·ṭîḇ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">and well-doing.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3-5</a></span><br />“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Isaiah 59:3-4</a></span><br />For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. / No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12-14</a></span><br />A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, / winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. / With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-35</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6-8</a></span><br />The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31-32</a></span><br />The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Psalm 10:7</a></span><br />His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Proverbs 15:28</a></span><br />The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Isaiah 32:6</a></span><br />For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-12.htm">Micah 6:12</a></span><br />For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Matthew 15:18-19</a></span><br />But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a></span><br />But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he has left off to be wise, and to do good.</p><p class="hdg">The words</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a></b></br> For <i>there is</i> no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part <i>is</i> very wickedness; their throat <i>is</i> an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2,3</a></b></br> They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: <i>with</i> flattering lips <i>and</i> with a double heart do they speak… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Psalm 55:21</a></b></br> <i>The words</i> of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war <i>was</i> in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet <i>were</i> they drawn swords.</p><p class="hdg">he hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/125-5.htm">Psalm 125:5</a></b></br> As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: <i>but</i> peace <i>shall be</i> upon Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/11-6.htm">1 Samuel 11:6-13</a></b></br> And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/13-13.htm">1 Samuel 13:13,14</a></b></br> And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/32-8.htm">Act</a> <a href="/psalms/35-15.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/psalms/35-20.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/psalms/35-20.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/psalms/35-20.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/35-12.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/36-2.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/28-3.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/psalms/35-21.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Prudently</a> <a href="/psalms/36-1.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/psalms/28-4.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/psalms/19-7.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/psalms/32-8.htm">Wisely</a> <a href="/psalms/35-20.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/37-5.htm">Act</a> <a href="/psalms/49-8.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/psalms/43-1.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/psalms/37-30.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Prudently</a> <a href="/psalms/36-11.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/psalms/37-8.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/psalms/58-5.htm">Wisely</a> <a href="/psalms/37-30.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 36</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/36-1.htm">The grievous state of the wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/36-8.htm">The excellence of God's mercy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/36-10.htm">David prays for favor to God's children</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/36.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/36.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;</b><br>This phrase highlights the moral corruption evident in speech, a theme frequently addressed in Scripture. The Bible often emphasizes the power of words, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a>, which states that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." The wickedness and deceitfulness of speech reflect a heart that is not aligned with God's truth, as Jesus taught in <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a>, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The deceitful nature of the words suggests a deliberate intention to mislead, reminiscent of the serpent's deception in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a>. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that contrasts the truth of God with the lies of the enemy.<p><b>he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.</b><br>This part of the verse indicates a departure from wisdom and righteousness. Biblically, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>), suggesting that turning away from God leads to a loss of true wisdom. The cessation of well-doing implies a moral decline, where actions no longer reflect God's standards of righteousness. This mirrors the condition described in <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a>, where those who reject God become futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts are darkened. The phrase also echoes the warnings in the book of Proverbs about the consequences of forsaking wisdom and righteousness, leading to a path of destruction.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>- Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/36.htm">Psalm 36</a>, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often wrote about the contrast between the wicked and the righteous.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>- This term refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways, characterized by deceit and a lack of wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous.htm">The Righteous</a></b><br>- Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the righteous are often contrasted with the wicked in the Psalms, representing those who follow God's commandments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Our words have the power to build up or destroy. As believers, we are called to speak truth and life, avoiding deceit and wickedness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wisdom.htm">The Importance of Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom comes from God and leads to righteous living. Ceasing to be wise results in moral and spiritual decline.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_hearts.htm">Guarding Our Hearts</a></b><br>The condition of our hearts is reflected in our speech. We must guard our hearts against wickedness to ensure our words align with God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>When we recognize deceit in our lives, we must repent and seek God's forgiveness and renewal, striving to live in wisdom and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_36.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 36</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_we_reconcile_prosperity_paradox.htm">Psalm 73:3 says the wicked prosper, yet other passages (e.g., Psalm 1:3) promise prosperity for the righteous--how do we reconcile this contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_righteous_suffer_oppression.htm">In Psalm 125:3, why have the righteous frequently suffered under oppressive regimes if the 'rod of the wicked' is not supposed to remain over them?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_wicked_thrive_and_righteous_suffer.htm">In Job 36:6-7, where it states the righteous are exalted while the wicked are cut off, why do wicked individuals often thrive, and the righteous sometimes suffer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_paul_misquote_psalms_in_romans.htm">If the Bible is divinely inspired, why does Paul misquote the Old Testament (Romans 3:10-18 vs. Psalms)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/36.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3, 4) From the secret promptings of sin, the description of the ungodly passes on to its issues in words and deeds. It is an awful picture of wickedness of a man abandoning himself without check or remorse to the inspiration of his own evil heart. He goes from bad to worse. In a great English tragedy, the murderer, though he has determined to wade farther in blood, yet prays against the horror of nightly temptations:<p>"Merciful powers,<p>Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature<p>Gives way to in repose.<p>But this man "deviseth mischief upon his bed." When even the worst criminals shudder at their own deeds, whispering to their "deaf pillows" the agonies that creep over them with darkness and silence, this ungodly man of the Hebrew poet's picture is occupied rather in scheming fresh villainies; even then <span class= "ital">he abhorreth not evil, </span>or better, <span class= "ital">rejecteth not, </span>catches rather at every fresh suggestion, and shapes it to his end.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/36.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The words of his mouth are iniquity</span> <span class="cmt_word">and deceit</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/28-3.htm">Psalm 28:3</a>). <span class="cmt_word">He hath left off to be wise, and</span> <span class="cmt_word">to do good.</span> There was a time when he occasionally acted wisely, and did what was right. But that time is gone by. Now he is consistently wicked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/36-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his mouth</span><br /><span class="heb">פִ֭יו</span> <span class="translit">(p̄îw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֣וֶן</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·wen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_205.htm">Strong's 205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and deceitful;</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִרְמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mir·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4820.htm">Strong's 4820: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deceit, treachery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he has ceased</span><br /><span class="heb">חָדַ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḏal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2308.htm">Strong's 2308: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be wise</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַשְׂכִּ֣יל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·haś·kîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7919.htm">Strong's 7919: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, circumspect, intelligent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] well-doing.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהֵיטִֽיב׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hê·ṭîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be good, well, glad, or pleasing</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/36-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/36-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 36:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 36:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/36-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 36:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 36:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>