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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 36:1-4

David, in the title of this psalm, is styled the servant of the Lord; why in this, and not in any other, except in Ps. 18:1 (title), no reason can be given; but so he was, not only as every good man is God's servant, but as a king, as a prophet, as one employed in serving the interests of God's kingdom among men more immediately and more eminently than any other in his day. He glories in it, Ps. 116:16. It is no disparagement, but an honour, to the greatest of men, to be the servants of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:1

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart ,.... Which is represented as a person speaking within him; not that the transgression of the wicked was really in him; sin was in him, and sin of the same kind and nature with the wicked man's; but he taking notice of and considering the wicked man's sinful course of life, and his daring impieties, conceived in his own mind, and concluded from hence, that there is no fear of God before his eyes ; no reverential affection for him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:2

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes ,.... There are many self-flatterers; some on account of their worldly estate, that they are out of the reach of God and men, and regard neither; and that as they have much goods laid up, they shall enjoy them many years, and so never think of dying, nor of another world: others on account of their eternal state, pleasing themselves with their own purity, goodness, and righteousness: some flatter themselves either that their sins are not sins, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:1

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart - It is difficult to make any sense of this line as it now stands. How can the transgression of the wicked speak with in my heart? But instead of לבי libbi , My heart, four of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. have לבו libbo , His heart. "The speech of transgression to the wicked is in the midst of his heart." "There is no fear of God before his eyes." It is not by example that such a person sins; the fountain that sends forth the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:2

For he flattereth himself - He is ruled by the suggestion already mentioned; endeavours to persuade himself that he may safely follow the propensities of his own heart, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. He sins so boldly, that at last he becomes detestable. Some think the words should be thus understood: "He smootheth over in his own eyes with respect to the finding out of his iniquity, to hate it. That is, he sets such a false gloss in his own eyes upon his worst actions, that he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:1

Verse 1 1.Ungodliness saith to the wicked in the midst of my heart Commentators are not agreed as to the interpretation of the first verse. Literally it is, The saying [or speech ]of transgression, or rather, Transgression saith to the wicked As, however, the letter ל , lamed, is in Hebrew sometimes used for מן , min, some translate it thus, Ungodliness or transgression speaketh of the wicked in my heart; as if the prophet had said, I clearly perceive from the wickedness which the ungodly... read more

John Calvin

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:1

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart. This is a difficult passage. In the first place, the text is uncertain, since some manuscripts have לבו , "his heart," in the place of לבי , "my heart." And further, whichever reading we prefer, the meaning is far from clear. Dr. Kay translates, "Transgression's oracle to the wicked is, 'In the interior of my own heart;'" and understands the meaning to be that the sinfulness of the wicked man deludes him into the belief that his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:1-4

God's revelation of man to himself; or, the transgressors heart turned inside out. It has been thought by some that this psalm was written about the time when Saul gave his daughter Michal to David with a treacherous design (see Walford, in loc. ); by others, that it is a general description of some of the wicked men—such as Saul, Absalom, Ahithophel, etc.—with whom David was brought into contact (see Fausset hereon). But there is no clue in the psalm itself to any such specific... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:1-12

The psalm divides itself into three strophes, corresponding to the division of the subject-matter. Strophe 1. ( Psalms 36:1-4 ) gives the portrait of the wicked man. Strophe 2. ( Psalms 36:5-9 ) paints the Divine goodness. Strophe 3. ( Psalms 36:10-12 ) contains the prayer and the expression of confidence. The title ascribes the psalm to David; and the critics generally acquiesce. Some of them point out special Davidical indications; but no one has ventured to assign it to... read more

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