David
Psalm 36
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.
Scripture (KJV)
1The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
11Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
12There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
Summary
Psalm 36 is a wisdom psalm that contrasts the deep wickedness of the godless with the boundless goodness of God. The opening verses diagnose the wicked: there is no fear of God before their eyes, they flatter themselves, their words are deceit, and they devise mischief on their beds. The turning point comes at verse 5, where David lifts his eyes from human wickedness to God’s mercy in the heavens, His faithfulness to the clouds, His righteousness like great mountains, and His judgments like a great deep.
The beloved verse 9 captures the heart: "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light." Those who take refuge under the shadow of God’s wings are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of His house. The psalm closes with a prayer for continued lovingkindness and protection from the foot of pride. The major themes are God’s mercy, lovingkindness, human wickedness, refuge, and the fountain of life. Practically, the psalm teaches that the fear of God is the cure for self-deception and that His light is the source of all light. The great lesson is that in God’s light we see light.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 36
O LORD, Your mercy is in the heavens and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains and Your judgments are a great deep. How excellent is Your lovingkindness, O God! Let me put my trust under the shadow of Your wings. Satisfy me with the fatness of Your house and make me drink of the river of Your pleasures. With You is the fountain of life; in Your light may I see light. Continue Your lovingkindness to me and Your righteousness to my upright heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, nor the hand of the wicked remove me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the fear of God protect me from self-deception?
- 2Where have I experienced God as "the fountain of life"?
- 3What does it mean to take refuge "under the shadow of thy wings"?
- 4How does God’s light become the source of light in my life?
Related Psalms
Psalm 35
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”
A prayer for God to contend against unjust enemies and vindicate the righteous.
Read morePsalm 37
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
Trust, delight, and wait; the meek inherit the land.
Read morePsalm 57
“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: and in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge.”
A prayer for refuge and a resolve to awake the dawn with praise.
Read morePsalm 63
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;”
Thirst for God in the wilderness; His lovingkindness is better than life.
Read morePsalm 139
“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.”
Psalm 139 is a profound meditation on God’s intimate, inescapable knowledge of a person.
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