Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 36
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 36
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 36
"The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, That his iniquity will not be found out and be hated. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: He hath ceased to be wise [and] to do good. He deviseth iniquity upon his bed; He setteth himself in a way that is not good; He abhorreth not evil." — Psalms 36:1-4 (ASV)
From this psalm, our hearts should be properly affected by hatred of sin and seek satisfaction in God's loving-kindness. Here is the root of bitterness from which all the wickedness of the wicked comes. It arises from contempt of God and the lack of proper regard for him. It also comes from the deceit they practice on their own souls.
Let us daily implore God to preserve us from self-flattery. Sin is very hurtful to the sinner himself, and therefore ought to be hateful; but it is not so. It is no wonder if those who deceive themselves seek to deceive all humankind; to whom will they be true, who are false to their own souls?
It is bad to do mischief, but worse to devise it, to do it with plot and management. If we willingly banish holy meditations in our solitary hours, Satan will soon occupy our minds with sinful imaginations. Hardened sinners stand by what they have done, as though they could justify it before God himself.
"Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, is in the heavens; Thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the skies. Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God; Thy judgments are a great deep: O Jehovah, thou preservest man and beast. How precious is thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; And thou wilt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light. Oh continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee, And thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There are the workers of iniquity fallen: They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise. " — Psalms 36:5-12 (ASV)
People may withhold their compassion, yet with God we will find mercy. This is great comfort to all believers, clearly seen and not to be taken away. God does all things wisely and well; but what He does, we do not know now. It is sufficient to know it in the future. God's loving-kindness is precious to the saints.
They put themselves under His protection, and then they are safe and at ease. Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God. The gifts of Providence satisfy them enough that they are content with what they have. The benefit of holy ordinances is sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual and Divine life.
But full satisfaction is reserved for the future state. Their joys will be constant. God not only works in them a gracious desire for these pleasures, but by His Spirit fills their souls with joy and peace in believing. He gives life to whomever He wills; and whoever is willing may come and take from Him the waters of life freely.
May we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, will separate us from His love. Faith calls things that are not as though they were. It carries us forward to the end of time; it shows us the Lord, on His throne of judgment; the empire of sin fallen, to rise no more.
Jump to: