October 8 - Psalm 36

October 8 - Psalm 36

I have a couple of observations before I begin today’s Psalm.  First, I think I did all the easy Psalms the first two times I wrote for this blog.  These are much more difficult now.  Secondly, do you hear songs in your mind as you read through these.  So many songs and hymns were written using the words of the Psalms; so many bits and pieces of these Psalms show up in random places in our worlds.  From Psalm 31 the other day – “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”  Jesus says that in Luke 23:46.  He doesn't quote it, he just says it.  These words permeate our culture and for that I’m thankful.

In Psalm 36, the Psalmist makes a clear distinction between the wickedness of humanity and the loving-kindness of God.

The wicked person shows no fear of God in his eyes.  In his eyes, he flatters himself so much that he can’t see his own sin.  The words he speaks are wicked and deceitful … and because of this, his wisdom is gone and he no longer does good.  Even when he lays down at night on his own bed, he spends time plotting evil and setting a sinful course before him; he doesn't reject what is wrong (Psalm 36:1-4).

We've all come up against this type of person; probably on a very regular basis.  In talking to my sister, a teacher, about bullies, she says there are two personalities for a bully. The first is one who has absolutely no self-esteem and so attempts to drag others down below him- or herself in order to make everyone lower.  The second, though, might be unexpected. It is the person who believes that they actually are better than others and can’t see beyond that to care about anyone but themselves.  This is the type of person the Psalmist speaks about.  The wicked person flatters himself so much that he can’t see the reality of who he is and the sin he commits.

But, the Lord is completely different.  His love reaches to the heavens, he is faithful and righteous and just.  The Psalmist describes these qualities in terms of the vastness of nature – faithfulness to the heavens, righteousness like the mighty mountains, justice like the great deep.  We can see the boundless extent of the Lord’s goodness (Psalm 36:5-6).

The Lord makes no distinction between those he loves.  The high and the low among men are welcome under his wings.  He brings a feast for everyone, no one is excluded.  In Him we find life, in Him we see light (Psalm 36:7-9).

The Lord never limits his love to one person – to the self.  The Lord expands His love to all, no matter who they are or what they have done.  This distinction is continually made clear by the Psalmist, in this Psalm and in others.  A sinful man thinks only of himself while the Lord cares for everyone.

Psalm 36 ends with a prayer.  Dear Lord, continue to love those who know you and grant righteousness to those who are upright in heart.  Keep the proud and wicked away from me; let them not come between my heart and yours.  I see how they lie fallen … unable to rise.