Psalm 36:2

2 For he has dealt craftily before him, to discover his iniquity and hate it.

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 The transgressor, that he may sin, says within himself, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

2 For he has dealt craftily before him, to discover his iniquity and hate it.

3 The words of his mouth are transgression and deceit: he is not inclined to understand how to do good.

4 He devises iniquity on his bed; he gives himself to every evil way; and does not abhor evil.

5 O Lord, thy mercy is in the heaven; and thy truth reaches to the clouds.

6 Thy righteousness is as the mountains of God, thy judgments are as a great deep: O Lord, thou wilt preserve men and beasts.

7 How hast thou multiplied thy mercy, O God! so the children of men shall trust in the shelter of thy wings.

8 They shall be fully satisfied with the fatness of thine house; and thou shalt cause them to drink of the full stream of thy delights.

9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light we shall see light.

10 Extend thy mercy to them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of sinners move me.

12 There have all the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast out, and shall not be able to stand.