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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 36:5-12

David, having looked round with grief upon the wickedness of the wicked, here looks up with comfort upon the goodness of God, a subject as delightful as the former was distasteful and very proper to be set in the balance against it. Observe, I. His meditations upon the grace of God. He sees the world polluted, himself endangered, and God dishonoured, by the transgressions of the wicked; but, of a sudden, he turns his eye, and heart, and speech, to God ?However it be, yet thou art good.? He... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:5

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens ,.... Meaning either the general mercy of God the earth is full of, and extends to all creatures; to which it is owing that wicked men before described are not consumed; and which reaches "up to the heavens" F4 בהשמים "usque ad coelos", Pagninus, Musculus, Muis, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Kimchi & Noldius, p. 164. No. 744. & Ainsworth. , as the words are by some rendered, as their sins do; see Psalm 57:10 ; or the special mercy... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 36:5

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens - That is, thou art abundant, infinite in thy mercy; else such transgressors must be immediately cut off; but thy long-suffering is intended to lead them to repentance. Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds - שחקים עד ad shechakim , to the eternal regions; above all visible space. God's faithfulness binds him to fulfill the promises and covenants made by his mercy. Blessings from the heavens, from the clouds, from the earth, are promised by... 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:1-12

We have here a terrible picture of, the wicked man. I. HIS HEART IS THE SEAT OF EVIL . It is there as an "oracle.' It is enthroned. It speaks with authority. It gives forth its decrees for obedience. The true is opposed by the false. Righteousness gives place to unrighteousness. All counsels of reason and compunctions of conscience are hushed by the cry, "No God!" ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3 , 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ). II. HIS LIFE IS MARKED BY ABANDONMENT TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:1-12

Aspice. Look around , how distressing is the scene! Look back , it is the fame tale of human care and crime. Look before , little to encourage, or to lead us to believe that things will be better than they are. But look up , and we can take heart, and speak one to another of better times. Clod reigns. Christ is at the right hand of the Father, to carry out his gracious purposes. Though there be much that is dark and depressing, yet we are able still to pray to God as "our Father,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:1-12

The curse of wickedness and the blessedness of fellowship with God. The psalmist complains of the moral corruption of his generation, and points the character of the time rather than any particular occurrence—unless "the foot of pride" in the eleventh verse may possibly refer to some invader that he dreaded. We have here a vivid description of the cursed state of ingrained , deliberate wickedness , and of the supreme blessedness of fellowship with God. I. THE CURSE OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:5

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens . Instead of the usual contrast between the wicked man and the godly one ( Psalms 1:1-6 ; Psalms 4:2 , Psalms 4:3 ; Psalms 5:10 , Psalms 5:11 , etc.), the psalmist here makes the startling contrast between the wicked man and God! The character of the wicked man is given in four verses ( Psalms 36:1-4 ), the portrait of God in five ( Psalms 36:5-9 ). God's first and principal characteristic is "mercy"—or rather, "loving-kindness" ( חסר ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 36:5-12

God's revelation of himself to man. The reason for so sudden a transition in the theme of this psalm does not clearly appear. It is, indeed, possible that portions of two may be pieced together; but we have no proof of that. The remark of Calvin is very striking, "After having spoken of the great depravity of men, the prophet, afraid lest he should be infected by it, or be carried away by the example of the wicked, as by a flood, quits the subject, and recovers himself by reflecting on a... read more

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