Psalms 36:2
For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
Main message
Psalm 36:2: The wicked person flatters himself until his iniquity cannot be honestly recognized and hated; the verse exposes self-deception, not a license to claim certainty about another person’s hidden motives.
Meaning in context
Psalm 36:1–4 · The anatomy of wickedness — Verses 1–4 describe transgression, self-flattery, deceitful speech, abandoned wisdom, and deliberate planning of evil.
The wicked person flatters himself until his iniquity cannot be honestly recognized and hated; the verse exposes self-deception, not a license to claim certainty about another person’s hidden motives.
Further teachings
The anatomy of wickedness
The wicked person flatters himself until his iniquity cannot be honestly recognized and hated; the verse exposes self-deception, not a license to claim certainty about another person’s hidden motives.
Cross References: Psalm 36:2 — Psalm 36:1–4.
Applications in daily life
- 1
Psalm 36:2
The wicked person flatters himself until his iniquity cannot be honestly recognized and hated; the verse exposes self-deception, not a license to claim certainty about another person’s hidden motives.
Do not turn self-flattery into mind-reading, amateur diagnosis, or certainty that opponents secretly know they are evil.
Related Bible passages and resources
- Psalm 36 (full chapter)
Psalm 36 sets the self-deceiving logic of wickedness beside the immeasurable steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice of the LORD. The middle movement turns from diagnosis to worship: people take refuge under God’s wings, feast on the abundance of his house, drink from the river of his delights, and confess him as the fountain of life and source of light. The closing prayer asks that steadfast love continue toward those who know God and that arrogant violence not prevail. The psalm entrusts the downfall of evildoing to God rather than licensing private retaliation.
- Psalm 36:1
Read the previous verse to preserve the movement.
- Psalm 36:3
Continue with the next verse to preserve the movement.
- Study the Book of Psalms
Keep this verse within Psalm 36’s contrast between self-deceiving evil and the LORD’s steadfast love, refuge, life, light, and justice.
Common misreadings
Do not turn self-flattery into mind-reading, amateur diagnosis, or certainty that opponents secretly know they are evil.
The wicked person flatters himself until his iniquity cannot be honestly recognized and hated; the verse exposes self-deception, not a license to claim certainty about another person’s hidden motives.
How to Apply Psalms 36:2
Study Psalms 36:2 in context by reading the surrounding passage in Psalms. Identify one person in your life who might be encouraged by this verse from Scripture. Share it with them and open a conversation rooted in Scripture — sometimes the most practical application is passing the Word along.
Sources & Method
Biblical text
Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 36 text used by the site.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
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