A godly life begins with reverence for God, and failure to pursue that reverence allows transgression to have the loudest voice.
David declares in Psalm 36:1 that “Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes” (v.1). By describing how sin “speaks” within a person, the psalmist depicts evil as an internal whisper that draws the heart away from reverence for the Lord. This absence of the fear of God serves as the foundation for all sorts of destructive choices, since when we do not acknowledge the Lord’s rightful authority, we relegate His standards to the background. According to commentary in Romans, the Apostle Paul refers to this same verse to illustrate how wickedness begins when people cease to honor their Maker.
The phrase “no fear of God before his eyes” points to an attitude of pride and self-sufficiency. Instead of looking upward to seek godly guidance, the ungodly focus on their own desires and impulses. This self-absorption breeds further rebellion, since everything from lying to oppression flows from a mindset that discounts God’s judgment or favor. Each of us is likewise called to humble ourselves, recognizing that genuine godliness includes acknowledging God’s rightful place and power.
Psalm 36:1 also resonates with the New Testament teaching that humanity needs a Savior to rescue us from sin’s internal voice. In Romans 3:18, Paul quotes this psalm to show that the problem of ignoring God’s holiness afflicts every human heart. When we believe in Jesus and walk by the Spirit instead of by the flesh, we learn to cultivate a healthy reverence for the Lord, which fosters goodness, repentance, and renewed fellowship with Him.
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Psalms 36:1 meaning
David declares in Psalm 36:1 that “Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes” (v.1). By describing how sin “speaks” within a person, the psalmist depicts evil as an internal whisper that draws the heart away from reverence for the Lord. This absence of the fear of God serves as the foundation for all sorts of destructive choices, since when we do not acknowledge the Lord’s rightful authority, we relegate His standards to the background. According to commentary in Romans, the Apostle Paul refers to this same verse to illustrate how wickedness begins when people cease to honor their Maker.
The phrase “no fear of God before his eyes” points to an attitude of pride and self-sufficiency. Instead of looking upward to seek godly guidance, the ungodly focus on their own desires and impulses. This self-absorption breeds further rebellion, since everything from lying to oppression flows from a mindset that discounts God’s judgment or favor. Each of us is likewise called to humble ourselves, recognizing that genuine godliness includes acknowledging God’s rightful place and power.
Psalm 36:1 also resonates with the New Testament teaching that humanity needs a Savior to rescue us from sin’s internal voice. In Romans 3:18, Paul quotes this psalm to show that the problem of ignoring God’s holiness afflicts every human heart. When we believe in Jesus and walk by the Spirit instead of by the flesh, we learn to cultivate a healthy reverence for the Lord, which fosters goodness, repentance, and renewed fellowship with Him.