For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
For he flattereth ... be found to be hateful - rather, 'in respect to lª- the finding of his sin, (and) in respect to lª- the hating of it.' Compare on the phrase 'finding of sin,' Genesis 44:16; Numbers 32:23. By self-flatteries be stifles all thoughts of God's justice finding out his sin and punishing it as its hateful character demands. His skill and success in evading temporal punishment leads him to the self-deluding notion that he will escape eternal punishment. This estimate is made "in his own eyes;" for he judges only "after the sight of his eyes" (Isaiah 11:3), since "there is no fear of God before his eyes" (Psalms 36:1). Compare Deuteronomy 29:19, on which this passage rests, "Lest ... when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart."