Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 36
The xxxvi. PSALM.
David gives (as I conceive) the character of Saul and the rest of his enemies, branding them deeply for wicked men, and treacherous: But with all incourageth himself in the superlative faithfulness, mercy and loving-kindness which God hath promised, and keeps in store for his people that serve him, and trust in him, which shall not deceive them: and which he prayes may be ever the portion of all the godly, but more especially of himself, in his preservation, and his enemies destruction.
Psalm xxxvi. To the chief musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.To him that is first and principal of all the Quire, is recommended (for the care and ordering of it to be sung) by David, the designed and dedicated servant of the Lord, this Psalm which himself made.
1THe transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eye….1 THe constant course of wickedness, which appears in my perverse and malicious enemies, adures me that I may with a safe conscience censure them to be wicked men, void of all conscience and piety, enemies to God and goodness, and that both they and their cause is naught.
2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.2 It clearly appears they are so, for that they proudly bolster up themselves in their own evil wayes, without remorse or amendment, and so its like will ever do till God by his judgements convince them, how hateful they are.
3The words of his mouth are iniquity & deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.3 They make no conscience to slander and dissemble, they have quite given over the profession and practise of godliness and honesty, counting it foolishness, and practise nothing but craft and iniquity, as if that were the onelyonly wisdom.
4He deviseth mischief upon his bed, he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.4 They set all their wits a work to do mischief, night and day, early and late, they make a very trade of it, with might and main endeavoring to work wickedness, never scrupeling to act any thing, be it never so sinful, but the worse it is the better they like it.
5Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.5 Yet have I no cause to dread them▪ considering how far thy mercy and truth, wherein I trust, is able do for me, above what they can do against me, which as far exceeds them,6Thy righteousnes is like the great mountains; thy judgements are a great deep; O Lord, thou preservest man and beast. their power and policie; as the heavens and the clouds above do the earth beneath.
6 Thy righteousnes goes as far beyond all that they by unrighteousnes can do against thy people, as great mountains do little mole-hills, and thy wisdom is not to be fathomed by reason; it is to it, as the Sea to shallowes. All thine infinit excellencies are thy peoples inheritances, whom thou certainly wilt preserve and bless maugre their enemies, who notwithstanding the worlds sinfulness preservest man and beast, of thy meer faithfulness, and them much more
7 Thy goodness appears to be so great in thy promises,7How excellent is thy loving kindness' O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow o… thy wings. and such abundance of loving kindness and merciemercy is held forth therein, as that it is a most sweet and powerful attraction to draw men to thee, to trust in thee for salvation and protection, whose eyes thou openest, and whose hearts thou disposest.
8 And such as do convert to thee,8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house: and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. and repose themselves upon thee with trust and confidence, they shall not repent it, but shall feel and find infinit soul-satisfaction in the track of pietie and use of holy ordinances, and thou shalt utterly quench their thirst after the world and sin, by inspiring them with thy divine and heavenly grace and consolation, to their surpassing ravishment and content.
9 For in thee,9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. and from thee onelyonly is the life of grace and true consolation to be had, in the light of thy countenance and gracious favour shining upon us, and by thy illuminating us therewith, we shall have inward light and happiness, when we are otherways never so in darkness, and infelicitie.
10 O Lord,10O continue thy loving kindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. as thou hast promised so perform thy grace and favour to them that are enlightned by thee, and drawn to thee, withdraw not the light of thy countenance from such as serve thee and believe in thee, but shine upon thy faithful and sincere people, and bless them with preservation and safetie answerable to thy promise and their trust.
11Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.11 As thou hast, so still continue to succour me, and prevent the attempts of my proud and wicked enemies upon me, who would tread me under foot, let them not with all their might and malice be able to stagger my faith in thee, nor compass my ruin.
12There are the workers of iniquitie fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.12 But let me for my part be able to see by experience and to say to thy glorie. There are my wicked enemies, for all their pride and power destroyed by the just judgement of God, and that (according to thy promise) by thine almighty power, they are utterly subdued under me, and fallen without likelihood of recoverie.