PSALM XXXVI _The miserable state of the wicked_, 1-4. _The excellence of God's mercy in itself, and to his followers_, 5-9. _He prays for the upright_, 10; _for himself that he may be saved from pride and violence_, 11; _and shows the end of the workers of iniquity_, 12. NOTES ON PSALM XXXVI... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 thin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 r... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 abho... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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_] עד שחקים _ad_ _shechakim... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 36:6. _THY RIGHTEOUSNESS_ IS _LIKE THE GREAT MOUNTAINS._] כהררי אל _keharerey El, like the mountains of God_; exceeding high mountains; what, in the present language of _geology_, would be called _primitive mountains_, those that were formed at the beginning; and are not the effects of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 36:7. _HOW EXCELLENT_ IS _THY LOVING-KINDNESS_] He asks the question in the way of admiration; but expects no answer from angels or men. It is indescribably excellent, abundant, and free; and, "therefore, the children of Adam put their trust under the shadow of thy wings." They trust in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 36:8. _THEY SHALL BE ABUNDANTLY SATISFIED_] ירוין _yirveyun_, they _shall be saturated_, as a thirsty field is by showers from heaven. _Inebriaduntur_, they shall be inebriated.-_Vulgate_. _That sal_ _be drunken of the plenteuoste of thi house. _- Old _Psalter_. This refers to the joyou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 36:9. _FOR WITH THEE_ IS _THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE_] This, in Scripture phrase, may signify a _spring of water_; for such was called among the Jews _living water_, to distinguish it from _ponds,_ _tanks_, and _reservoirs_, that were supplied by water either received from the _clouds_, or c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 36:10. _O CONTINUE THY LOVING-KINDNESS_] Literally, "Draw out thy mercy." The allusion to the _spring_ is still kept up. _UNTO THEM THAT KNOW THEE_] To them who _acknowledge thee_ in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. _AND THY RIGHTEOUSNESS_] That _grace_ which _justifies... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 36:11. _LET NOT THE FOOT OF PRIDE COME AGAINST ME_] Let me not be trampled under foot by proud and haughty men. _LET NOT THE HAND OF THE WICKED REMOVE ME._] תנדני _tenideni, shake_ _me_, or _cause me to wander_. Both these verses may have immediate respect to the captives in Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 36:12. _THERE ARE THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY FALLEN_] THERE, in Babylon, are the workers of iniquity fallen, and so _cast down that_ _they shall not be able to rise_. A prophecy of the destruction of the Babylonish empire by Cyrus. That it was destroyed, is an historical fact; that they we... [ Continue Reading ]