Psalm 36

Psalms scroll.

Psalm 36 is the 36th psalm from the Book of Psalms.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Authorship

The text of the Psalms states Davidic authorship, for the chief musician of the temple.^[6]

The psalm may either be understood as a prayer of the persecuted who has taken refuge in the temple or figuratively of a refuge in God. The psalmist prides in the goodness of God in which he finds safe and blessed be. The psalm concludes with a plea to God for those who honor him, to bless with his justice and to protect them from the snares of the wicked.^[7]

Uses

Judaism

• Verse 7 is part of Tzidkatcha.^[8] It is also found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.^[9]
• Verses 8-11 are recited following the wrapping of the tallit during morning services.^[10]

Catholicism

Catholic scholarship saw the psalm as An exhortation to despise this world; and the short prosperity of the wicked; and to trust in Providence.

Protestantism

The Vulgate version of verse 10 "in lumine tuo videbimus lumen" (In Thy light shall we see light)^[11] is used often as a heraldic motto of Columbia University. The refrain and the first verse of "O Lord, thy mercy is sufficient so far as the sky is" is based on the verse 6 and 7 of Psalm 36.^[12]

References

1. Commentaires sur les psaumes, d’Hilaire de Poitiers, (Paris, Éditions du Cerf, 2008), collection sources chrétiennes n°515,
2. Commentaires of the Psalmes, by saint Johnn Chrysostome
3. Discourse of the Psalmes, by Saint Augustin, vol.2,(Sagesses chrétiennes)
4. Commentairy (jusqu’au psaume 54), by saint Thomas Aquinas, (Éditions du Cerf, 1273)
5. Jean Calvin, Commentaire des psalmes, 1557
6. Charles Spurgeon, Psalm 36 Treasury of David.
7. Stuttgarter Erklärungsbibel, (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart,1992) p691.
8. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 525
9. The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 351
10. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 4
11. "Columbia University at a Glance". columbia.edu.
12. "Hymns for Psalm 36". hymnary.org.

External link

Media related to Psalm 36 at Wikimedia Commons