Psalms 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.