1 > An oracle is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: "There is no fear of God before his eyes."
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, Too much to detect and hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good; He doesn't abhor evil.
5 Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal.
7 How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.
9 For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.
10 Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Don't let the foot of pride come against me. Don't let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 36
Commentary on Psalms 36 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 36
Ps 36:1-12. On servant of the Lord, see on Ps 18:1, title. The wickedness of man contrasted with the excellency of God's perfections and dispensations; and the benefit of the latter sought, and the evils of the former deprecated.
1. The general sense of this difficult verse is, "that the wicked have no fear of God." The first clause may be rendered, "Saith transgression in my heart, in respect to the wicked, there is no fear," &c., that is, such is my reflection on men's transgressions.
2-4. This reflection detailed.
until his iniquity—literally, "for finding his iniquity for hating"; that is, he persuades himself God will not so find it—"for hating" involving the idea of punishing. Hence his words of iniquity and deceit, and his bold rejection of all right principles of conduct. The climax is that he deliberately adopts and patronizes evil. The negative forms affirm more emphatically their contraries.
5, 6. mercy … and … faithfulness—as mercy and truth (Ps 25:10).
6. righteousness [and] judgments—qualities of a good government (Ps 5:8; 31:1). These all are set forth, by the figures used, as unbounded.
7. shadow of thy wings—(Compare De 32:11; Ps 91:1).
8. fatness—richness.
thy house—residence—for the privileges and blessings of communion with God (Ps 23:6; 27:4).
river of thy pleasures—plenteous supply; may allude to Eden.
9. Light is an emblem of all blessings, given of God as a means to gain more.
10. that know thee—right knowledge of God is the source of right affections and conduct.
11. foot of … hand … wicked—all kinds of violent dealing.
12. There—in the acting of violence, they are overthrown. A signal defeat.