Abstract:
Psalm 36 is a beautiful and masterfully crafted poem that once served
to enhance the unity and conviction of a group of Yahweh worshippers.
The strategy of the author seems to have been an attempt
to create dissociation from a group of people who are described as
‘wicked’ and to promote association with Yahweh as their patron
deity. The psalm probably served at the same time as a request to
Yahweh to protect the members of the in-group against the arrogant
behaviour of the out-group who had no respect for him. It ends with a
statement of confidence in the eventual downfall of the wicked people.
