Psalms 36:1-12
1 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
4 He deviseth mischiefa upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
5 Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
7 How excellentb is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10 O continuec thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
12 There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
The antithetical nature of this psalm is self-evident. In the first part (verses Psa 36:1-4), the reason and expression of the wickedness of the wicked are described. The one and only reason for transgression is that the fear of God is lost. All evil results therefrom.
In contrast to this the advantages of the remembrance of Jehovah are set forth, first, by a description of certain facts concerning Him. One can easily imagine that the psalm was written on some natural height from which the singer looked out on a far-stretching scene in which he saw symbols of truth concerning his God. Note the sweep of vision. The heavens, the skies or clouds, the mountains, the great deep, the river, and, over all, the light.
There is a fine fitness in the interpretation of suggestiveness. The encompassing blue speaks of lovingkindness; the passing clouds in the mystery of their orderliness, of His faithfulness; the mountains suggest His righteousness from which rivers of pleasure flow to mingle in the deep of His judgments. Of all the abundant and varying life He is the Source or Fountain and the sunshine of His face is the light on everything. All ends with a prayer for the continued safety of the divine care and protection.