Psalm 36:2

2 for in his own eyes he flatters himself [too much] to discover and hate his sin.

Psalm 36:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 36:2

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes
There are many self-flatterers; some on account of their worldly estate, that they are out of the reach of God and men, and regard neither; and that as they have much goods laid up, they shall enjoy them many years, and so never think of dying, nor of another world: others on account of their eternal state, pleasing themselves with their own purity, goodness, and righteousness: some flatter themselves either that their sins are not sins, or they are small ones; or they are no other than what multitudes commit; or they are not seen and known, and that God himself sees them not, or takes no notice of them; and that they shall go on with impunity, sentence against them being not speedily executed; and others that there is no God, will be no judgment, nor future state;

until his iniquity be found to be hateful,
or, "to find his iniquity and to hate" ^F3 that which is good, as the word may be rendered; that is, he flatters himself, or speaks smooth things to himself, and endeavours to work himself up into the belief of the above things; that he may find, embrace, and indulge his lusts with a quiet conscience, and hate God, good men, and everything that is good; the Targum is,

``that he may find sins and hate doctrine''

or instruction. Jarchi and Aben Ezra interpret the words another way,

``that the holy and blessed God may find out his iniquity to hate him;''

see ( Genesis 44:16 ) , which God may be said to do, when he charges the guilt of sin upon the conscience, and punishes for it; and exposes both the sinner and his sins to the world; thereby testifying his hatred of him and his sins; and which should have been hateful to him, as they are to all good men.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 So. Pagninus.

Psalm 36:2 In-Context

1 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no dread of God before his eyes,

2 for in his own eyes he flatters himself [too much] to discover and hate his sin.

3 The words of his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good.

4 Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. He sets himself on a path that is not good and does not reject evil.

5 Lord, Your faithful love [reaches] to heaven, Your faithfulness to the skies.