3 years ago

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Psalm 36 presents a contrast between a wicked person and an upright person. David gives us a compelling portrayal of someone lying on their bed, thinking of ways to do harm. The entire description is vivid! For example, verse 2:

For they flatter themselves in their own eyes,
that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.

We usually think of flattery as coming from another person, but as David has noted, we each have a keen ability to tell ourselves that we are better than we actually are.

We live in a time of disdain toward those who are religious. Perhaps there is a God, perhaps not, they say. If God exists, people say, then He doesn't concern himself with the ways of humanity. How can anything even be a sin, if there is no lawgiver? Who cares? Isn't it all up to us? Don't we make our own destiny? Aren't we ultimately in charge?

We've taken God off of the throne, and put ourselves there. We lower our estimation of God, and we raise our estimation of ourselves.

This Psalm isn't all negative, however. Actually, the last half describes the upright person, who is made so because of God's character! The hinge between selfishness and righteousness turns upon God's steadfast love!

That is worth some serious reflection. Note how it says that “ALL” people may take refuge in the shadow of His wings. Taking refuge in God gives us access to the abundance of His house, the thirst-quenching river of His delights, the fountain of life, and the revealing light of His light.

All of these blessings are available to those who put God on the throne!

Amen

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Human Wickedness and Divine Goodness
To the leader. Of David, the servant of the Lord.

1 Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God
before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds;
they are set on a way that is not good;
they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

#scripturesongs #psalm36

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