Psalm 36
A Basic Outline
A description of the wicked, 1
..there is no fear of God before his eyes
The basis for the description, 2-4
..he flatters himself… when he finds out his iniquity
..the words of his mouth are…
..he has ceased to be wise and do good
..he devises wickedness…
..he sets himself in a way that is not good
..he does not abhor evil…
A description of Yahweh, 5-9
.Yahweh’s character & ways, 5-6
..His mercy is in the heavens
..His faithfulness reaches to the clouds
..His righteousness is like the great mountains
..His judgements are a great deep
..He preserves man and beast
.Yahweh’s lovingkindness, 7-9
..it is precious
..it inspires trust in You
..it’s results: satisfaction & light
A request, 10-11
..continue lovingkindness & righteousness
..protect me from the enemies
The result of Your protection, 12?
What do I see?
“He flatters himself in His own eyes when…” A picture of a pride where there should be conviction and remorse.
Where does this make a difference?
How often am I tempted to respond to conviction with some sort of excuse? “It was necessary.” “They deserved it.” “I was right.” I want to stay away from flattery and defensiveness when conviction comes to the door of my heart. I want to respond with integrity and humility. I want to own it instead of changing the subject to someone else’s possible error. I want to fear/respect You Lord.
What do I see this time?
“…he does not abhor evil.” This seems to compliment the initial description in v2, “he flatters himself…”
Where does this make a difference?
I don’t want to grow comfortable in the presence of sin. I don’t want to casually go down a path where “I cease to be wise and do good.”
This description stands in direct contrast to the aim of Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-11. “…that your love may abound still more and more… that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ…”
I can give myself to sin via flattery and indifference. Or, I can give myself to You as You work in my heart.
What do I see?
A mercy and a faithfulness that surround and surpass me. A mercy and a faith that are inescapable. It’s no wonder Paul would later say, “if we are faithless, You are faithful.” Or “nothing can separate us from the love of God.”
What difference does this make?
What will I need today? God’s mercy. Is there a supply of mercy that will meet my need? Absolutely. Is there hope for today? Absolutely… And hope for my lifetime.
Why do I get anxious about Your help if these things are true? Perhaps I’m not naturally inclined to bank on Your mercy and faithfulness. If I don’t think carefully then I’m inclined to have confidence or a lack thereof based on my performance. So what would it look like to approach this day knowing that Your mercy reaches to the heavens? Your mercy is waiting for me and in full supply. It is already abundantly stacked around me and all that I’ll face in my future.
What do I see?
In v7 I see the children of men responding to your precious lovingkindness with trust in You. The order: Your lovingkindness comes first… the experience or discovery of it. Second, their decision to trust You. Third, they’re abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house.
Conclusion? You are the one who is proactive in our relationship. The beginning of our relationship is a function of Your reaching to me not me reaching to You. So we would say that not only is Your lovingkindness precious because it covers me like a wing and leads to abundant blessing. It is also precious because it looked for me before I looked for it.
What difference does this make?
I’m reminded that, as I look back, my life is thoroughly saturated by Your lovingkindness. As I look forward, I’m reminded how much confidence I can have… The same lovingkindness that haunted my past is in the hand of the One Who’s mercy is in the heavens and Who’s faithfulness reaches to the clouds.