Psalms 36 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

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.

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, Numbers 32:23.

Left off — Once he had some degrees of wisdom, but now he is become an open apostate.

Deviseth — Freely, from his own inclination, when none are present to provoke him to it.

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.

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.

Loving — kindness — Though all thine attributes be excellent, yet, above all, thy mercy is most excellent, or precious and amiable.

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.

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.

The foot — Of my proud and insolent enemies. Come — So as to overthrow me.

There — He seems as it were to point at the place, as if it were already done.