Psalm 36

Here is a delightful, no, a powerful Psalm of confidence for those who know the LORD, for those who are “in” the world but not “of” the world.  At the same time it is a strong word for those who persist in resisting God.  The “Oracle” (v1, deep saying) from within the Psalmist falls along simple and clear lines:

·        The wicked, v1-4

·        The LORD, v5-9

·        The righteous

The wicked are defined as those in whom there is “no fear of God before his eyes.”  He has no constant recognition of God’s presence as he goes about his day.  Instead he is full of himself, “he flatters himself in his own eyes.”

Verse 2 is hard to translate though either of the primary translations fit well.  The NKJV says his self-flattering is based in his view of his sin and what he hates.  To be wicked gives him great pleasure.  Another way of stating this verse is to say that because of his self-flattery he is unable to recognize his sin or to loathe his sin.  

Either way he has a problem with his self-view.  This leads to lying and wicked words (we always speak from our heart, Matt. 12:33-37), to foolish and harmful actions, and to wicked and harmful plans.  The two bookends of the volumes that describe go together: he does not fear God; he does not abhor (loathe) evil.  It is no wonder that the Apostle Paul, concludes his strong description of depraved mankind (Rom. 3:9-18) by quoting from this Psalm.

Consider just a few of the words of the wicked recorded in Scripture, words that show his strong confidence:

·        Deut. 29:19-21: I will be safe even though I go my own way.

·        Jeremiah 6:17: we will not listen to God’s watchmen (prophets, preachers).

·        Psalm 10:6: I will always be happy and never have trouble.

·        Psalm 10:11: God has forgotten; He doesn’t really see my sin.

·        Ezekiel 12:22: the Bible promises judgment but it never happens; the days just keep going by.

The “oracle … concerning the transgression of the wicked” is now laid aside in favor of meditation of the character (v5-6) and works (v7-8) of God.  

God’s character is seen in its extreme greatness: they are in the heavens and reaches to the clouds; they are like great mountains and are a great deep.  In other words what God “brings to the table” (Ps. 23:5) is infinitely sufficient.  And what does God bring?  First He comes with mercy (same as lovingkindness in vs. 7,10) and faithfulness.  These terms are frequently linked in Scripture.  God’s goodness is true goodness, and He is faithfully gracious.  Second He comes with righteousness (the standard) and judgment (the specific applications of the standard).  In the matter of the self-absorbed wicked God will do both what is good and right.  

With these perfections He preserves man and beast.  No matter how devious the plans of the wicked and how intimidating they seem to be, God will sustain those who trust in Him.  And God is able because his lovingkindness is “precious” or “weighty, influential”.  Those who trust in Him will be satiated with the fullness of His house.  God will be the source of the most fundamental needs we have to live: He will be the fountain of living water or life, and He will be the light in which we see light.  Life flourishes with water and light; so the believer is abundantly satisfied with God.

To whom does this apply?  It is for those who “put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.”  What does this mean?  First, to put ones trust in God means to flee to Him for refuge or protection.  This is the 14^th time already in the Psalms that this has been mentioned.  (Perhaps you would like to meditate on the previous uses: Psalm 2:12; 5:11; 7:1; 11:1; 16:1; 17:7; 18:2,30; 25:20; 31:1,19; 34:8,22.)

Second, the reference to being “under the shadow of Your wings” gives an amazing thought.  You may have a picture of a mother bird protecting her chicks.  But almost certainly that is not the picture.  Note the reference in v8 to the “fullness of Your house” (i.e. the holy of holies).  Then read Psalm 61:4.  The wings spoken of here are those of the Seraphim wings that cover the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat.  The Psalmist has come to God in the only right way: through the blood poured out from the Sacrificial Lamb.  What a thought for us today.  This is why Jesus offered the woman in John 4 “living water”.  This is why He is the “light of the world”.  Jesus, the Lamb of God, is “the fountain of life; in (His) light we see light.”

Out of this confidence the Psalmist then exercises his trust by laying himself and his circumstances before the Lord.  His prayer is that God will continue the “weighty” lovingkindness that is in the heavens and His righteousness that is like the great mountains.  Those who know God, who are upright in heart, have no fear of the “foot” or the “hand” of the wicked.  They have made the LORD their refuge.

Let us properly examine ourselves.  Let us not be full of ourselves but rather allow God’s Spirit to reveal our hearts in this matter.  Trust in the LORD!  You will be abundantly satisfied with the fullness of His house!