Psalm 36:1-4 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:3

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit ,.... Not only sinful, but sin itself; his mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, of filthy and unchaste words, of corrupt communication, lying, deceit, and flattery; out of the abundance of the wickedness of his heart his mouth speaketh; and which shows the badness of it, and proves all that is said before of him; he hath left off to be wise, and to do good ; by which the psalmist seems to intend one that had been a professor of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:4

He deviseth mischief upon his bed ,.... He casts about in his mind on his pillow, when at leisure from all employment; and consults and contrives schemes how to compass his lusts, and to do injury to others, without doing which he cannot sleep; he setteth himself in a way that is not good , in an evil way, which he chooses and delights in, and determines to continue in, he leaving the paths of righteousness to walk in the ways of darkness: he abhorreth not evil ; which is to be... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:3

The words of his mouth are iniquity - In the principle; and deceit calculated to pervert others, and lead them astray. He hath left off to be wise, and to do good - His heart is become foolish, and his actions wicked. He has cut off the connection between himself and all righteousness. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:4

He deviseth mischief upon his bed - He seeks the silent and undisturbed watches of the night, in order to fix his plans of wickedness. He setteth himself - Having laid his plans he fixes his purpose to do what is bad; and he does it without any checks of conscience or abhorrence of evil. He is bent only on mischief, and lost to all sense of God and goodness. A finished character of a perfect sinner. 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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:4

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:4

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

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