Bible Commentaries
Psalms 36

Verse 1

Title, of David = by David.

the servant of the Lord. In the Hebrew text these two words are reversed, and the title stands thus: "Relating to Jehovah's servant, by David ". This is exactly what it is. His prayer and praise in view of Psalms 22:0 (see p. 721, and Isaiah 42:1 , &c), in death and resurrection. Psalms 18:0 is the only other Psalm so entitled.

transgression = rebellion. Hebrew pasha' . App-44 .

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew rasha'. App-44 .

saith : declareth, as an oracle. Hebrew na'am. Compare Jeremiah 23:31 = declareth. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .

within my heart = within me; "my heart" being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the whole person: i.e. assureth or convinceth me that, &c. Not seeing the Figure of speech, or the force of the Hebrew na'am, many follow the hypothesis of the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, and read "his heart".

there is, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:18 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . His relation, as Creator, to His creatures. This lawless one knows not Jehovah; and fears not Elohim.

his eyes. Answering to "his heart" in preceding clause.

Verse 2

iniquity. Hebrew ' a vah.

Verse 3

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

Verse 4

mischief. Hebrew. 'aven, as in Psalms 36:3 , "iniquity".

setteth himself = taketh his stand.

evil. Hebrew. ra'a" . App-44 .

Verse 5

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace (as in Psalms 36:7 ).

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . mountains: i.e. great and mighty.

Thy judgments = And Thy just decrees. The "And" was cancelled by the Massorites (see the Babylonian Talmud Nedarim, 37b-38a). Ginsburg Int. (pp. 307-8).

LORD = Jehovah, because of preservation, which is more than creation. See App-4 .

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 7

lovingkindness. Compare "mercy", Psalms 36:5 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. ( App-4 .), because of His creatures, the sons of men.

children = sons.

put their trust under = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .

wings. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 8

river = full stream. Hebrew. nahal. Refers to Paradise.

Verse 10

continue = prolong.