Bible Commentaries
Psalms 36

Verses 1-12

XXXVI. We have here two Pss. or fragments of two Pss.: A, Psalms 36:1-4 and possibly Psalms 36:12, and B, Psalms 36:5-11.

XXXVI. A. Psalms 36:1-4 . A denunciation of wicked Jews, who might well be in terror of Yahweh but are not. The general sense seems to be that as God inspires His prophets, so wickedness personified inspires sinners with a false confidence. The sinner thinks that he has made everything smooth for his own interests and need not fear that God will discover and hate his iniquity.

Psalms 36:1 f. The text is very doubtful. We may perhaps emend ( cf. LXX) and render: “ Thus saith the inspiration of the transgressor, My inmost heart is set on doing evil.” “ And be hated” can scarcely be right and may be a misplaced gloss.

XXXVI. B. Psalms 36:5-11 . Yahweh’ s Loving-kindness.

Psalms 36:6 . mountains of God: i.e. on which God dwells. See Ezekiel 28:14.— a great deep: i.e. like the great deep which surrounded and bore up the earth ( Genesis 1:6 f.). Note the universalism; Yahweh preserves men as such, not merely Jews; all nations are to worship in the Temple.

Psalms 36:9 b. The light of God’ s favour makes all our lives full of light and joy.