PSALM 36 – AN HONEST APPRAISAL
In Psalm 36 God, through David, gives an honest appraisal of how things are. He “tells it like it is”. Indeed God always does tell it like it is, but especially in Psalm 36 I see David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit being blunt. David’s bluntness was not just in a negative but also in a positive sense. In this Psalm I find:
THE CONDITION OF THE WICKED, Vss. 1-4
We know nothing about when this Psalm was written. There is an interesting line in the title however. David is called the servant of the Lord. The servant of the Lord should be the one who “tells it like it is”. He should speak as God directs him to speak and not be bound by the opinions of others.
Vs. 1 – There was an “oracle” or a “word” within the heart concerning the wicked. God was showing David the condition of the wicked. He “tells it like it is” and shares it with us.
First, note that there is no fear of God before his eyes. Here the word would mean dread or terror. It is not the same word usually used for “fear” which carries the thought of reverence.
I personally feel that the point is that if the wicked had any true dread of God, they would not do what they do. Many times people have changed their behavior simply out of fear of an individual, such as a parent. The wicked, however, do not even dread God.
Vs. 2 – he flattereth himself with his own eyes…
A wicked person is self-deceived and doesn’t think that he has done anything wrong. He flatters himself to think that he’s okay.
Vs. 3 – The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit:
Do you know why a wicked man’s words are iniquity and deceit? It is because of the condition of his heart. Proverbs 12:5, Jeremiah 17:9, Luke 6:45, Psalm 36:3
Vs. 3 – The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
Ephesians 5:15-16 – See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
The Spirit-filled Christian will walk circumspectly.
The wicked will not. He will not regard wisdom and doing what is good important.
Vs. 4 – A wicked person will lay in bed and make evil plans. When he gets up he will be set or locked in to a way which is not good.
Another problem with the wicked is he abhorreth not evil.
A righteous person will hate evil, but not necessarily evil people. We are to “love sin and hate the sinner.” 1 Peter 3:10-11
We need to be concerned for the wicked. Without a change caused by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, they are doomed!
THE COMPASSION OF GOD
Here we see how God is different from the wicked.
Verses 5-6 show us four great qualities of God.
- Mercy, love, or lovingkindness
Vs. 5 – In spite of our sinfulness, God loves us.
In spite of our failures, God loves us.
In spite of our humanity, God loves us.
God never stops loving you.
It reaches into the heavens, and the heavens continue on and on and on. Romans 8:35-39
- Faithfulness
Vs. 5 – The faithfulness being referred to is the faithfulness of God’s spoken word. If God promises to do it. He will. Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 46:11
- Righteousness
Vs. 6 – Thy righteousness is like the great mountains…
Great mountains are only moveable by God.
Our God is a righteous God.
He will only do what is right.
He will only stand for what is right. Psalm 119:142, 145:17
- Judgments or Justice
Psalm 36:6 – …thy judgments are a great deep:
Our righteous God carries out His justice.
When the Lord Jesus returns to earth to reign He will carry out His justice. Isaiah 11:4-5
The Lord Jesus will also judge the unsaved dead. Revelation 20:12
And the Lord will judge the saved dead. 2 Corinthians 5:10
Psalm 36:6 – Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.
God in His keeping power takes care of men and animals.
We can rest in the fact that God is caring for us.
Vs. 7 – God doesn’t literally have wings. He is a Spirit.
But this, nonetheless is the picture of God protecting us in the security of being under His wings. It is like a mother bird protecting her young from danger.
Vs. 8 – I believe that we can think of God’s Spiritual blessings as being abundantly satisfied “with the fatness” of His house.
Notice it says “abundantly” satisfied.
God will give you satisfaction from His house!
Here are some verses that tell us this: Psalm 65:4, Psalm 16:11, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 John 5:11,
John 16:33
Vs. 8 – The word pleasures here as the same root as the word Eden. God gave His pleasures to Adam in Eden.
God gives us His pleasures in Christ!
Vs. 9 – For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Spiritual life, and eternal life are found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If we have the Lord Jesus, we have these three kinds of life!
THE CRY OF THE RIGHTEOUS, Vss. 10-12
David, in his integrity, tells it like it is.
He tells God, and us, that he and us need God’s help.
Vs. 10 – David teaches us a lesson here. We are not to take God’s lovingkindness or righteousness for granted. We are to ask God for help.
Notice who the recipients of lovingkindness are – they are the ones who know God. The ones who know God are the ones who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior.
We have every right to seek God’s lovingkindness because we know Him.
Also, it is the upright in heart who will experience God’s righteousness.
Vs. 11 – David is asking for protection from the proud.
And you will notice that very often it is another’s person pride that causes us trouble.
When a person is proud, they want things their way and they want to laud it over you. Psalm 86:14
I believe it wise to not only seek God to protect us from the proud, but from our own pride.
It is our pride that will not admit a wrong.
It is our own pride that will not forgive.
It is our pride that makes us rude and arrogant.
Vs. 11 – David also saw that the wicked wanted to remove Him and he asked for protection.
When you see someone wanting to remove you, ask God for protection.
Vs. 12 – By faith, David saw the answer to His prayer. His confidence reminds me of Mark 11:22-24.
