For many people, the worldly prosperity of a considerable number of sinners, purchased by the crimes...
For many people, the worldly prosperity of a considerable number of sinners, purchased by the crimes and lawless deeds they have committed, seems to be an argument refuting what is written in the biblical texts. Such attitudes, as we can see, are not new and are mentioned in the Bible itself.
There is a fine line between bewilderment at evil going unpunished and the conclusion that, since earthly prosperity is achieved by sinful means, we should obtain it in the same way. It is no accident that the psalm begins precisely with the counsel not to envy those who practice lawlessness. Apparently, many people envied the success of sinners even in those times, just as they do today. That is why the psalmist never tires of repeating that all successes purchased by sin are temporary: sooner or later the wicked will perish, and their prosperity, attained with the help of evil, will turn to dust and bring no lasting benefit to its owners.
But those who trust in the Lord will not be left without His support. Whatever difficulties they may experience, their future is in the hands of the Lord, who is always near them, in sorrow and in joy. However much the lawless may rule on earth, the earth itself with all its gifts is not intended for them—the Lord has appointed it as the inheritance of the righteous.
36 The grievous state of the wicked, Psa 36:1-4.
The goodness of God, Psa 36:5-9.
David prays, in confidence of deliverance, Psa 36:10-12.
To the chief musician, a psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.
36:1 No fear - When I consider the manifold transgressions of ungodly men, I conclude within myself, that they have cast off all fear of the Divine majesty.
36:2 Flattereth - He deceiveth himself with vain persuasions, that God does not mind his sins, or will not punish them. Found - Punish, as the same phrase is used, Num 32:23.
36:3 Left off - Once he had some degrees of wisdom, but now he is become an open apostate.
36:4 Deviseth - Freely, from his own inclination, when none are present to provoke him to it.
36:5 Thy mercy - Mine enemies are cruel and perfidious, but thou art infinite in mercy, and faithfulness. Heavens - Is infinite and incomprehensible. Faithfulness - The truth both of thy threatenings against thine enemies, and of thy promises made to good men.The clouds - Is far above our reach, greater and higher than we can apprehend.
36:6 Mountains - Stedfast and unmoveable: eminent and conspicuous to all men. Judgments - The executions of thy counsels.Deep - Unsearchable, as the ocean. Man - The worst of men; yea, the brute - beasts have experience of thy care and kindness.
36:7 Loving - kindness - Though all thine attributes be excellent, yet, above all, thy mercy is most excellent, or precious and amiable.
36:8 Satisfied - Who trust in thee, as he now said. Fatness - With those delightful provisions, which thou hast prepared for them in heaven.The river - Which denotes both their plenty, and their perpetuity.
36:9 Life - It is in God as in a fountain, and from him is derived to us. But - Of that glorious and blessed, and endless life, which alone is worthy of the name. Light - In the light of thy glorious presence, which shall be fully manifested, when we see thee face to face. Light - Joy and comfort, and happiness: the word light is elegantly repeated in another signification; in the former clause it is light discovering, in this light, discovered or enjoyed.
36:11 The foot - Of my proud and insolent enemies. Come - So as to overthrow me.
36:12 There - He seems as it were to point at the place, as if it were already done.