Psalms 36
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN. A PSALM OF DAVID THE SRVANT OF THE LORD

[Psalms 36:1] THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE WICKED SAITH WITHIN MY HEART, THAT THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE HIS EYES.
S.R. Hirsch correctly explains the Hebrew original as saying: SAYS SIN TO THE EVIL THAT IS WITHIN MY HEART THERE IS NO (need of the) FEAR OF GOD THE JUDGE WHO SEES ALL. Rabbi Hirsch explains this as saying that the urge to sin says to me that if God did not want sin to exist he would not allow it, i.e. He would not put temptation in my path..

[Psalms 36:2] FOR HE FLATTERETH HIMSELF IN HIS OWN EYES, UNTIL HIS INIQUITY BE FOUND TO BE HATEFUL.
Difficult to translate but it seems to mean that someone who listens to temptation flatters himself that sin will not cause him to himself whereas in fact it (is as if it) hates him and is seeking his downfall.

[Psalms 36:3] THE WORDS OF HIS MOUTH ARE INIQUITY AND DECEIT: HE HATH LEFT OFF TO BE WISE, AND TO DO GOOD.

[Psalms 36:4] HE DEVISETH MISCHIEF UPON HIS BED; HE SETTETH HIMSELF IN A WAY THAT IS NOT GOOD; HE ABHORRETH NOT EVIL.

[Psalms 36:5] THY MERCY, O LORD, IS IN THE HEAVENS; AND THY FAITHFULNESS REACHETH UNTO THE CLOUDS.
God rules over the earth and knows what HE is dong even if we do not understand it, e.g. "BE NOT RASH WITH THY MOUTH, AND LET NOT THINE HEART BE HASTY TO UTTER ANY THING BEFORE GOD: FOR GOD IS IN HEAVEN, AND THOU UPON EARTH: THEREFORE LET THY WORDS BE FEW" [Eccelesiates- The Preacher 5:2].

[Psalms 36:6] THY RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIKE THE GREAT MOUNTAINS; THY JUDGMENTS ARE A GREAT DEEP: O LORD, THOU PRESERVEST MAN AND BEAST.
God helps everyone. We all be judged according to our capabilities and potential. Just as we would not consider ourselves equal to an animal and we would agree that a higher standard of moral behavior could be expected from us so too should we not set our standards according to those who are not necessarily at the same level as us. God made you as you are and expected you to do as well as you can with what you have. If you have more than others then your duties are greater and vice versa. God is in heaven and knows what He is doing even if we do not.

[Psalms 36:7] HOW EXCELLENT IS THY LOVINGKINDNESS, O GOD! THEREFORE THE CHILDREN OF MEN PUT THEIR TRUST UNDER THE SHADOW OF THY WINGS.
You do what you have to do and trust in the Almighty.

[Psalms 36:8] THEY SHALL BE ABUNDANTLY SATISFIED WITH THE FATNESS OF THY HOUSE; AND THOU SHALT MAKE THEM DRINK OF THE RIVER OF THY PLEASURES.

[Psalms 36:9] FOR WITH THEE IS THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE: IN THY LIGHT SHALL WE SEE LIGHT.
If we trust in God He will reveal to us some of the secrets of HIS ways.

[Psalms 36:10] O CONTINUE THY LOVINGKINDNESS UNTO THEM THAT KNOW THEE; AND THY RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THE UPRIGHT IN HEART.

[Psalms 36:11] LET NOT THE FOOT OF PRIDE COME AGAINST ME, AND LET NOT THE HAND OF THE WICKED REMOVE ME.
We need help to overcome our own pride that constantly seeks to harm us. We also need assistance against wicked people who wish to see us eliminated or atb least reduced to their own level.

[Psalms 36:12] THERE ARE THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY FALLEN: THEY ARE CAST DOWN, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO RISE.
Those who do evil are destroyed by their own pride and by the actions of their fellow evildoers. There is nothing romantic about criminals or evildoers. Our only hope is to take refuge in the mercy of the Almighty.