Psalm 36:1-12
The Wicked's Smooth Words
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.
3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.
4Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.
5Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.
6Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
8They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights.
9For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.
10Extend Your loving devotion to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11Let not the foot of the proud come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12There the evildoers lie fallen, thrown down and unable to rise.
Berean Standard Bible
The psalm begins with an oracle about the wicked person's rebellion. There is no fear of God before his eyes, so he flatters himself and cannot detect or hate his sin. His words are trouble and deceit; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good.
Then the scale changes. God's loving devotion reaches to the heavens, His faithfulness to the clouds, righteousness like the highest mountains, and judgments like the deepest sea. The God who sees wickedness also preserves people and animals. His love is not narrow or fragile.
The psalmist asks to take refuge in the shadow of God's wings and feast on the abundance of His house. God is the fountain of life and the source of light. The final request is that prideful feet not drive him away and that the wicked not overthrow him. The wicked fall because they have become unable to stand.
Questions
1 What does the wicked person lack?
AnswerHe lacks the fear of God and flatters himself so thoroughly that he cannot recognize or hate his own sin.
2 How far does God's loving devotion reach?
AnswerIt reaches to the heavens, while His faithfulness reaches to the clouds and His righteousness stands firm like mountains.
3 What does God preserve?
AnswerHe preserves both people and animals, showing the breadth of His care.
4 What does the psalm call God?
AnswerIt calls Him the fountain of life and the source of light by which we see light.
What This Means for Us
Self-flattery is dangerous because it hides the very fault that needs correction. Ask trusted people and Scripture to interrupt the story we tell ourselves about our goodness.
God's abundance should make us generous. If His care reaches beyond our narrow circle, our household should not protect comfort by treating other people or creatures as disposable.
Prayer
Fountain of life, expose the self-flattery that keeps us from repentance. Shelter us beneath Your care, make us generous toward people and creatures, and let Your light reveal the path ahead. Amen.