Bible Commentaries
Psalms 36

Verses 1-12

PSALM 36

The character of the wicked contrasted with God and the blessedness of those who trust in God.

(vv. 1-4) The psalm opens with a description of the wicked. Their known character makes it impossible to trust in their statements. Their lives show that they act without fear of God; their boastful words, even when their iniquity is found to be hateful (JND), prove they have no conscience before men.

(vv. 5-7) In contrast to the wicked, the known character of God invites the fullest confidence of the sons of men. The heavens, with the sun and moon, are a continual witness to the mercy of God ( Mat_5:45 ). The faithfulness of God to His own Word is witnessed by the bow in the cloud ( Gen_9:16 ). His righteousness is as stable as the mountains, and His judgments are as profound as a great deep. God's preserving care is over all His creatures - “man and beast.”

Moreover His loving-kindness has been revealed to man. Therefore, in spite of their sin, the children of men can put their trust under the shadow of His wings.

(vv. 8-9) The blessedness of those who put their confidence in God. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of His house; they will drink of the river of His pleasure - all the blessings that God has purposed in His heart for man. In His light they see light - the light of all that God is gives light to all else, for those that are in the light.

(vv. 10-12) A prayer for the continuance of His loving-kindness to those that know God; for preservation from the wicked who, it is foreseen, will fall to rise no more.