Psalm 36

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:2

Verse 2 2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes Here the Psalmist shows by their fruits or the marks of their character, that there is no fear of God among the wicked, seeing they take such pleasure in committing deeds of wickedness, that, although hateful in the sight of all other men, they still cherish the natural obstinacy of their hearts, and wilfully harden themselves in their evil course. First, he says that they nourish their vices by flatteries, (3) that they may not be dissatisfied... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:3

Verse 3 3.The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. The two clauses of this verse may be understood as referring to the same thing, namely, that the wicked indulging in deceit and vanity, will not receive or admit the light of understanding. This, I apprehend, is the meaning of David. He reproves the wicked not merely for circumventing others by their wiles and stratagems, but especially because they are altogether destitute of uprightness and sincerity. We have already said that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:4

Verse 4 4.He meditates iniquity upon his bed Here the sacred writer shows that the wickedness of the ungodly man is of a secret and very determined character. It sometimes happens that many, who otherwise are not disposed to wickedness, err and fall into sin, because occasion presents itself all on a sudden; but David tells us, that the wicked, even when they are withdrawn from the sight of men, and in retirement, form schemes of mischief; and thus, although there is not presented before them... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:5

Verse 5 5.O Jehovah! thy mercy is unto the heavens. Commentators think that David, after having described the great corruption and depravity which every where prevail in the world, takes occasion from thence to extol in rapturous praises the wonderful forbearance of God, in not ceasing to manifest his favor and good-will towards men, even though they are sunk in iniquity and crime. But, as I have already observed, I am of a somewhat different opinion. After having spoken of the very great... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:6

Verse 6 6.Thy righteousness is as the mountains of God In this verse there is a commendation of God’s righteousness, which the sacred writer compares to the high mountains, (this being the manner of the expression — “the mountains of God,” for we know that the Hebrews were accustomed to distinguish by the appellation divine, or of God, whatever is excellent,) because his glory shines forth more clearly there. In the last place, it is said, that his judgments are like a great and bottomless... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:7

Verse 7 7O God! how precious is thy loving-kindness! Some explain these words in this sense: That the mercy of God is precious, and that the children of men who put their trust in it are precious; but this is a sense too far removed from the words of the text. Others understand them as meaning, that the mercy of God is very great to the gods, that is to say, to the angels and the sons of men; but this is too refined. I am also surprised that the Jewish Rabbins have wearied and bewildered... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:8

Verse 8 8.They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of that house. I have no doubt that by the fatness of God’s house the prophet means the abundance of good things which is not designed for all men indiscriminately, but is laid up in store for the children of God who commit themselves wholly to his protection. Some restrict the expression to spiritual graces; but to me it seems more likely, that under it are comprehended all the blessings that are necessary to the happiness and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:9

Verse 9 9.For with thee is the fountain of life The Psalmist here confirms the doctrine of the preceding verse, the knowledge of which is so profitable that no words can adequately express it. As the ungodly profane even the best of God’s gifts by their wicked abuse of them, unless we observe the distinction which I have stated, it were better for us to perish a hundred times of hunger, than to be fed abundantly by the goodness of God. The ungodly do not acknowledge that it is in God they live,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:10

Verse 10 10.Prolong thy mercy to them that know thee. David now sets himself to pray. And, first, he asks in general, that God would continue his mercy to all the godly, and then he pleads particularly in his own behalf, imploring the help of God against his enemies. Those who affirm that God is here said to prolong or extend his mercy because it is exalted above the heavens, indulge in a style of speaking too puerile. When David spake of it in such terms in a preceding verse, his intention was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:11

Verse 11 11.Let not the foot of pride come upon me As I have observed a little before, the Psalmist here applies to his own circumstances the prayer which he had offered. But by including in his prayer in the preceding verse all the children of God, he designed to show that he asked nothing for himself apart from others, but only desired that as one of the godly and upright, who have their eyes directed to God, he might enjoy his favor. He has employed the expressions, the foot of pride, (12)... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:11

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