Upon first read of Psalm 36, I felt as though it really should have been two separate Psalms - one about the wicked, and one about God's love. But then I realized that God's love is what defeats the wicked, and it is illustrated beautifully in this passage of Scripture.
Let's start at the very . . . ending. (A very odd place to start, one might say.) Verse 12 says, "See how the evildoers lie fallen - thrown down, not able to rise!" This to me depicts a scene at the end of a battle, where the defeated army lies slaughtered and unable to gain any strength to fight back. So what defeated this army of evildoers? God's love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice.
You see, these evildoers, according to David's oracle in verse 1, had no fear of God - which was the root of their sinful lifestyles. This wicked man plotted to sin morning, noon, and night, rejecting any wisdom. He thought so highly of himself that he thought nothing he could be doing could possibly be wrong (and aren't we guilty of this very same attitude?). Verse 3 says that this wicked man actually ceased to be wise and do good. So in these ways, this man (symbolic of every man) put himself in opposition to God.
At the end of verse 4, the Psalm makes an abrupt turn from describing these characteristics of wickedness to celebrating the goodness of God. This is where I got tripped up before. But I think that the clue to connecting these two seemingly oddball sections lies elsewhere in Scripture - a specific example is in Psalm 103:17. This verse says that "from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children."
The ultimate sustaining power in the universe, we as Christians must believe, is God's love. It's what drives it all. God's love was the reason for creating Adam and Eve - and his love was the reason for letting him fall. His love allowed him to call out Abraham and make so many promises to him - future blessings that would be revealed in ages to come, and that are still being revealed today. God's love is the reason he provided the law to the Israelites - so they would know how to please Him. God's love is the reason for Jesus - the reason that He came, lived, and chose to die to satisfy the debt we owe for our sin. God's love propels us, and His love is provided to those who fear Him. Which means . . .
God's love is NOT provided to those who do not fear Him (not the same kind of love we experience anyway - if it helps, think of it as God's favor). So all these beautiful expressions of praise in Psalm 36 do not apply to the man who has no fear of God and, therefore, dwells in wickedness.
What are these beautiful expressions of praise?
God's love reaches to the heavens - His faithfulness reaches to the skies. His righteousness is like a mighty mountain - strong, firm, and safe. His justice flows deep - there is nowhere in our lives that cannot be touched by His justice. Both the high and low among men - the rich and poor, famous and unknowns - we all equally find shelter in the shadow of God's wings. We feast on abundance in God's house, and he gives us refreshment from His "river of delights." He is life, and He is light, and He lets us partake in that!
I want to just remind you (and myself) to praise God tonight that He looks upon you with favor. Praise Him that He covers you with love and faithfulness, and in righteousness and justice is firm and deep for you. Praise Him that His arms are big enough to hold all of us right next to His heart. Praise Him that He does not look with favor upon wickedness - and pray for those you know who do not have fear of the Lord! Pray that they will see the gifts bestowed upon us and choose to be called a son or daughter of God - that they will throw aside their wicked ways and stand at the end of the battle.
Let's start at the very . . . ending. (A very odd place to start, one might say.) Verse 12 says, "See how the evildoers lie fallen - thrown down, not able to rise!" This to me depicts a scene at the end of a battle, where the defeated army lies slaughtered and unable to gain any strength to fight back. So what defeated this army of evildoers? God's love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice.
You see, these evildoers, according to David's oracle in verse 1, had no fear of God - which was the root of their sinful lifestyles. This wicked man plotted to sin morning, noon, and night, rejecting any wisdom. He thought so highly of himself that he thought nothing he could be doing could possibly be wrong (and aren't we guilty of this very same attitude?). Verse 3 says that this wicked man actually ceased to be wise and do good. So in these ways, this man (symbolic of every man) put himself in opposition to God.
At the end of verse 4, the Psalm makes an abrupt turn from describing these characteristics of wickedness to celebrating the goodness of God. This is where I got tripped up before. But I think that the clue to connecting these two seemingly oddball sections lies elsewhere in Scripture - a specific example is in Psalm 103:17. This verse says that "from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children."
The ultimate sustaining power in the universe, we as Christians must believe, is God's love. It's what drives it all. God's love was the reason for creating Adam and Eve - and his love was the reason for letting him fall. His love allowed him to call out Abraham and make so many promises to him - future blessings that would be revealed in ages to come, and that are still being revealed today. God's love is the reason he provided the law to the Israelites - so they would know how to please Him. God's love is the reason for Jesus - the reason that He came, lived, and chose to die to satisfy the debt we owe for our sin. God's love propels us, and His love is provided to those who fear Him. Which means . . .
God's love is NOT provided to those who do not fear Him (not the same kind of love we experience anyway - if it helps, think of it as God's favor). So all these beautiful expressions of praise in Psalm 36 do not apply to the man who has no fear of God and, therefore, dwells in wickedness.
What are these beautiful expressions of praise?
God's love reaches to the heavens - His faithfulness reaches to the skies. His righteousness is like a mighty mountain - strong, firm, and safe. His justice flows deep - there is nowhere in our lives that cannot be touched by His justice. Both the high and low among men - the rich and poor, famous and unknowns - we all equally find shelter in the shadow of God's wings. We feast on abundance in God's house, and he gives us refreshment from His "river of delights." He is life, and He is light, and He lets us partake in that!
I want to just remind you (and myself) to praise God tonight that He looks upon you with favor. Praise Him that He covers you with love and faithfulness, and in righteousness and justice is firm and deep for you. Praise Him that His arms are big enough to hold all of us right next to His heart. Praise Him that He does not look with favor upon wickedness - and pray for those you know who do not have fear of the Lord! Pray that they will see the gifts bestowed upon us and choose to be called a son or daughter of God - that they will throw aside their wicked ways and stand at the end of the battle.
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