Psa 36 | MHCC | e4.org | 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.

‏ Psalms 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