Psalms 36:3

3 The 1words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has 2ceased to be wise and to do good.

Psalms 36:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 36:3

The words of his mouth [are] iniquity and deceit
Not only sinful, but sin itself; his mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, of filthy and unchaste words, of corrupt communication, lying, deceit, and flattery; out of the abundance of the wickedness of his heart his mouth speaketh; and which shows the badness of it, and proves all that is said before of him;

he hath left off to be wise, [and] to do good;
by which the psalmist seems to intend one that had been a professor of religion, who, besides the light of nature he had acted contrary to, had had the advantage of a divine revelation, and had been enlightened into the knowledge of divine things, and had done many things externally good, particularly acts of beneficence; but now had dropped his profession of religion, denied the truths he had been enlightened into, and ceased from doing good; otherwise a natural man understandeth not; and, though he is wise to do evil, to do good he has no knowledge.

Psalms 36:3 In-Context

1 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil.
5 Your lovingkindness, O LORD , extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 10:7; Psalms 12:2
  • 2. Psalms 94:8; Jeremiah 4:22

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "understand to do good"
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