Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Psalms Ch.36 / 150 Ch.s
PS:36
* The bad state of the wicked. (1-4) The goodness of God. (5-12)
#1-4 From this psalm our hearts should be duly affected with
hatred of sin, and seek satisfaction in God's loving-kindness.
Here is the root of bitterness, from which all the wickedness of
wicked men comes. It takes rise from contempt of God, and the
want of due regard to him. Also from the deceit they put upon
their own souls. Let us daily beg of 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
marvel, if those that deceive themselves, seek to deceive all
mankind; 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 to what
they have done, as though they could justify it before God
himself.
#5-12 Men may shut up their compassion, yet, with God we shall
find mercy. This is great comfort to all believers, plainly to
be seen, and not to be taken away. God does all wisely and well;
but what he does we know not now, it is time enough to know
hereafter. God's loving-kindness is precious to the saints. They
put themselves under his protection, and then are safe and easy.
Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire
more than God. The gifts of Providence so far satisfy them, that
they are content with such things as 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 shall 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 quickens whom he will; and whoever will, may come,
and take from him of the waters of life freely. May we know, and
love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on
earth or from hell, shall separate us from his love. Faith
calleth 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.