The grievous estate of the wicked. The excellency of God's mercy. David prayeth for favour to God's children.
To the chief musician. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.
Title. למנצח lamnatseach— This Psalm is supposed to have been written by David at the beginning of Saul's persecution; whilst he outwardly professed kindness towards him, but yet he could not help discovering that he desired and intended his ruin. David here opposes the faithfulness and goodness of God, to the malice and treachery of Saul; though without mentioning him by name: and, as Theodoret well observes, David's delicacy in this respect is very remarkable; for, although the chief of his most bitter complaints were levelled against Saul, yet throughout his Psalms, he never once mentions him by name. This Psalm, Mudge observes, has three states: the first, in which the author describes the treacherous and false contrivances of wicked men; the second is the address of the good man to God; in which he acknowledges all those attributes, that are the support of righteous men, to be infinite and boundless; and from thence draws his assurance of being supported. The last, as the consequence of this, represents the downfall of the wicked.
Psalms 36:1. The transgression of the wicked saith, &c.— The wicked man hath an oracle of rebellion within his heart. "The wicked man has no regard to the oracles of God: he has one of his own heart, which dictates nothing but rebellion." Mudge.