Psalms 36:10-12

The Psalmist Prays That Nothing Might Be Allowed To Drive Him Away From YHWH's Covenant Love (Psalms 36:10).

Having emphasised the wonderful attributes of YHWH (5-7), and having considered the munificent benefits that He abundantly gives to His own (8-9), the Psalmist now prays that nothing might drive him away from the covenant love of YHWH.

Psalms 36:10

‘Oh continue your lovingkindness to those who know you,

And your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Let not the foot of pride come against me,

And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

There are the workers of iniquity fallen,

They are thrust down, and will not be able to rise.'

Finally he prays that YHWH will reveal His covenant love and righteous deliverance towards himself and all who are truly upright. Note that it is assumed that those who truly know Him will be so. It is not possible to truly experience His compassion and righteous deliverance without it being so.

And he wants to be protected from the proud. He does not want their foot to come against him. Nor does he want the hand of the wicked to drive him away from YHWH's presence, or from his livelihood (see Micah 2:9; Job 15:21). Or it may be a prayer that he might not become a beggar, and thus be kicked contemptuously and be thrust from the presence of the wicked (compare Amos 2:6; Amos 8:6). For he has confidence that these men who work iniquity will shortly fall. They will be thrust down and not be able to rise