View Psalms 36 in the note window.
The grievous state of the wicked, ver. 1 - 4.
The goodness of God, ver. 5 - 9.
David prays, in confidence of deliverance, ver. 10 - 12.
To the chief musician, a psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.
1: No fear - When I consider the manifold transgressions of ungodly
men, I conclude within myself, that they have cast off all fear of the
Divine majesty.
2: Flattereth - He deceiveth himself with vain persuasions, that God
does not mind his sins, or will not punish them. Found - Punish, as the
same phrase is used, (Nu 32:23).
3: Left off - Once he had some degrees of wisdom, but now he is
become an open apostate.
4: Deviseth - Freely, from his own inclination, when none are present
to provoke him to it.
5: Thy mercy - Mine enemies are cruel and perfidious, but thou
art infinite in mercy, and faithfulness. Heavens - Is infinite and
incomprehensible. Faithfulness - The truth both of thy threatenings
against thine enemies, and of thy promises made to good men.
The clouds - Is far above our reach, greater and higher than we can
apprehend.
6: Mountains - Stedfast and unmoveable: eminent and conspicuous
to all men. Judgments - The executions of thy counsels.
Deep - Unsearchable, as the ocean. Man - The worst of men; yea, the
brute - beasts have experience of thy care and kindness.
7: Loving - kindness - Though all thine attributes be excellent, yet,
above all, thy mercy is most excellent, or precious and amiable.
8: Satisfied - Who trust in thee, as he now said. Fatness - With
those delightful provisions, which thou hast prepared for them in heaven.
The river - Which denotes both their plenty, and their perpetuity.
9: Life - It is in God as in a fountain, and from him is derived to
us. But - Of that glorious and blessed, and endless life, which alone is
worthy of the name. Light - In the light of thy glorious presence, which
shall be fully manifested, when we see thee face to face. Light - Joy and
comfort, and happiness: the word light is elegantly repeated in another
signification; in the former clause it is light discovering, in this light,
discovered or enjoyed.
11: The foot - Of my proud and insolent enemies. Come - So as to
overthrow me.
12: There - He seems as it were to point at the place, as if it were
already done.
