John Calvin Commentary Psalms 36:4

"He deviseth iniquity upon his bed; He setteth himself in a way that is not good; He abhorreth not evil." — Psalms 36:4 (ASV)

He meditates iniquity upon his bed. Here the sacred writer shows that the wickedness of the ungodly man is of a secret and very determined character.

It sometimes happens that many, who otherwise are not inclined to wickedness, err and fall into sin because an occasion suddenly presents itself.

But David tells us that the wicked, even when they are withdrawn from the sight of others and in retirement, devise schemes of mischief. Thus, although no temptation is presented to them, nor the evil example of others to incite them to it, they, of their own accord, devise mischief and compel themselves to it, not being impelled by anything else.

Since he describes the reprobate by this distinguishing characteristic—that they devise mischief upon their beds—true believers should learn from this to engage in different kinds of meditations when alone, and to make their own lives the subject of examination, so that they may exclude all evil thoughts from their minds.

The Psalmist next refers to their stubbornness, declaring that they set themselves in a crooked and perverse way; meaning, they purposely and willfully harden themselves in doing evil. Finally, he adds the reason for this: They abhor not evil. Willfully shutting their eyes, they rush forward in their headlong course until they spontaneously yield themselves as slaves to wickedness.

Let us now briefly state the contrast between the ungodly and the people of God, as found in the preceding verses.

The former deceive themselves by flattery; the latter exercise strict control over themselves and examine themselves with rigid scrutiny. The former, loosening the reins, rush headlong into evil; the latter are restrained by the fear of God. The former conceal or disguise their offenses with sophistry and turn light into darkness; the latter willingly acknowledge their guilt, and by a candid confession are brought to repentance. The former reject all sound judgment; the latter always desire to vindicate their ways by coming into the open light of day. The former invent various ways of doing evil upon their beds; the latter are diligently on their guard so that they do not devise or stir up any sinful desire within themselves. The former indulge a deep and fixed contempt of God; the latter willingly cherish a constant displeasure at their sins.