DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 36 David describes the wicked, contrasts them with the LORD, and asks for the LORD's favor. David spoke of the wicked as fools (morally foolish). The occasion for the Psalm is unknown; but the two most troublesome times in David's life came at the hands of Saul and of Absalom. Some commentators associate the wicked fool mentioned in the Psalm with Ahithophel, former counselor to David who conspired with Absalom to overthrow David. In the words of verse 3, "he has left off to be wise, and to do good".
     The painting above illustrates the counterpoint of the moral fool -- a mentally foolish person -- or, at least, someone pretending to be foolish.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 18. 1 Samuel 19-31. 2 Samuel 15-18. 2 Samuel 15:11-12. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 36 - #1. Psalm 36 - #2. Psalm 36 - #3. Psalm 36 - #4. ]

     Transgressors, said David have no fear of God. They flatter themselves until their iniquity is judged. Their words are iniquity and deceit; they ceased to be wise; they ceased to do good (1-4). By contrast, the LORD's mercy and faithfulness is is high as the heavens. His righteousness is like the great mountains. His judgments are a great deep. He preserves man and beast. His lovingkindness is excellent. Therefore men put their trust in him. And they will be abundantly satisfied and will drink from the river of God's pleasures -- literally, his "Eden." With him is the fountain of life; and in God's light we will see light (5-9). So David asks the LORD to continue his lovingkindness to those who know him, and his righteousness to the upright in heart. He asks that the LORD will stop the foot of pride from treading him down and that the hand of the wicked will not be able to remove him. He closes with an expression of confidence that the workers of iniquity will fall and never rise (10-12).

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
² For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
³ The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
⁴ He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

⁵ Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
⁶ Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
⁷ How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
⁸ They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
⁹ For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

¹⁰ O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
¹¹ Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
¹² There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]