Psalms 36:2

A much disputed verse. Three renderings of the first line deserve consideration. (1) Taking the wicked man as the subject, we may render as the A.V. (2) Taking Transgression as the subject, we may render, For It flattereth him in his eyes. (3) Taking God as the subject, we may render, For He flattereth him in his eyes.

The third rendering, whether it is explained to mean, -God treats him gently, so he imagines," (Cheyne) or, -God's threatenings seem to him mere idle words," can hardly be supported by the usage of the word. The first agrees best with the reading my heartin Psalms 36:1, giving the ground of the Psalmist's conviction expressed there. But if the better reading, his heart, is adopted, the second rendering gives the best connexion. It explains how Transgression goes to work. It -speaks smooth things and prophesies deceits" to him, concerning the finding out of his iniquity and hating it, i.e. as R.V.,

That his iniquity shall not be found out and be hated:

dragged to light in order to be punished, and exposed in its true hatefulness. The word find outis frequently used of detection with a view to punishment. See Psalms 17:3: 1 Kings 1:52.