Chapter 36

This psalm contains a teaching to the new people, inspiring them to refrain from evil deeds and practice good deeds, and convincing them of both with the hope prepared for the good and the punishment awaiting the evil ones. Ps.36:1. Do not be jealous of those who are crafty; do not be jealous of those who commit iniquity. He advises to run away from wickedness, letting you know that the end of wickedness is the loss of all that is good. Ps.37:3. And they inhabited the earth and feasted on its riches. “Earth” refers to the inspired Scripture, in which is the wealth of the saints, that is, the promises. He advises to constantly study divine words with attention, out of a desire for those blessings that, according to Scripture, are prepared for the saints. Ps.36:5. Open your way to the Lord, and trust in Him, and He will do it. Obviously, he says, follow the path pleasing to Him. Ps.37:6. And he will bring out your truth like light. For it is known that in the next century, as the Lord himself said, “the righteous will shine like the sun” (Matthew 13:43). The light of truth is knowledge; since truth is the standard of virtue. And your fate is like noon means: recognizes you as worthy of light. Ps.36:7. Obey the Lord and beg Him. He will show in the next century that you are worthy of light, and you obey here. Do not be jealous of him who sleeps on his journey. Do not be surprised that a lawless man prospers, do not take as an example the prosperity acquired by lawlessness, do not seek encouragement from this to do the same. But if the wicked is successful in everything, do not be tormented by this, and do not express indignation that the wicked remain unpunished, even live happily, as if there is no one to punish them. Ps.36:8. Stop being angry and leave rage. Do not look at their prosperity, but look forward to the end, and you will see destruction. Anger is the desire to punish, and punishment is retribution for evil. Don't be jealous, don't be cunning. Know without a doubt that those who have reassured themselves with divine hope, who have chosen a virtuous life, spend it in tranquility and peace, constantly enjoying a purity of conscience, while those who rely on temporary prosperity will experience rapid vicissitudes and will be consigned to complete oblivion. Ps.36:10. And you sought his place, and did not find it. This is similar to what was said: “The wicked chickpeas perished from the root” (Job 4:7). Ps.36:11. And they will enjoy the abundance of peace. The pleasure of the righteous is abundance of peace and dispassion of the soul with true knowledge of all things. Ps.36:12. The sinner disciplines the righteous. This can also be understood about the devil. The psalmist consoles the offended with this; for it shows that the lawless one is sad and irritated at those who love a quiet life, but the righteous Judge laughs at his enterprise, because he foresees his imminent death. Ps.37:13. The Lord will laugh at him. He laughs at the sinner’s intentions against the righteous, knowing that He has appointed a day on which He will reward one with eternal life and the other with eternal torment. Ps.36:14. The sinner drew her sword, she laid down her bow... Ps.36:15. Let their sword enter into their hearts. The crafty demons, he says, suffered the very thing that they planned to make holy. Ps.36:16. Little is better for the righteous, that is, the small mercy of the Lord is higher than all the riches in the world. Ps.36:18. The message is the Lord of the path of the blameless, And their heritage will last forever. For the rewards of the saints are incorruptible and eternal. Ps.36:19. They will not be ashamed in times of cruelty. In times of persecution, when teachers are scarce, the Lord Himself nourishes those who believe in Him with His Spirit. Or: “the time of cruelty” is the time of wrath against the wicked, when some will experience the righteous judgment of God, while others will receive glory, honor, incorruptibility and eternal life. Ps.36:21. The sinner borrows and does not return. The sinner does not return thanks for what he has been blessed with from God. The righteous one is generous and gives. He repays with generosity, imitating his Lord. Ps.36:22. For those who bless Him will inherit the earth. This is similar to what was said to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3). Ps.36:23. It is from the Lord that man’s feet are straightened. The Lord approves of his active life. Ps.36:24. When it falls, it will not break. Even if a righteous person happens to slip in something small, he will not suffer harm from this; because it has God as its support. Ps.36:25. Below his seed asking for bread. He understands mental bread, and these are the essence of divine words. Ps.36:27. And dwell in the century of the century. And you will inherit, he says, eternal settlements. Ps.36:29. The righteous will inherit the earth. He often mentioned that land is given to the meek, thereby urging him to lust after it. Ps.37:30. The lips of the righteous will learn wisdom. Whether in the tongue or in the mind, one must, he says, carry with oneself the words of God everywhere and constantly practice studying them. Having learned to do this, the lover of virtue remains fearless and unshakable, overcoming those who try to overthrow him. The Psalmist said this in the first psalm: “but his will is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he will learn day and night” (Ps. 1:2). And his tongue will speak judgment, that is, justice is not judicial, but is found in infallible and sound judgment. Ps.36:31. The law of God is in his heart, and his feet will not falter. Ps.36:32. The sinner looks at the righteous. Ps.36:33. The Lord will not leave. It expresses the same thing differently, so that with repeated study it is more firmly preserved in memory. He says that the Lord will not despise the righteous when the evil ones plot against him, and will not deign to do anything like that, but will make sure that the righteous escapes the snares. Abraham saw such an industry over himself during the double abduction of Sarah, Isaac also experienced it, being exposed to the same danger, Jacob also experienced it when his brother and father-in-law were jealous of him, Joseph also experienced it when hatred and slander were armed against him. But is it necessary to retell everything? It is not difficult for the curious to both collect Old Testament examples and to discern examples in the New Testament. Ps.36:33. Below will judge him, when he judges him, that is, during his trial. Ps.36:34. Never be consumed by a sinner, behold. You will see, he says, sinners destroyed. Ps.36:35. I saw the wicked exalting himself, and standing tall like the cedars of Lebanon. According to what was said: “canopy... our life” (Job 8:9). Ps.36:36. And I passed by, and lo and behold. Seeing that the evil ones prosper, I wondered how this happens. And then, thinking about this and asking himself the same question a second time, he could no longer see them: he was not even able to find the place where they seemed to stand. Ps.36:37. Maintain kindness and see righteousness, as there is a remnant for a person in peace. And the punishment of the wicked, and the “remains” or property of the good, may they inspire you to take care of the simplicity of your heart. You might be interested in: