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Spiritually Speaking => Pastor Al Moak's Study => Manna For The Soul => Songs of Worship & Psalm 119~Psalms Studies => Topic started by: Al Moak on April 24, 2003, 12:30:18 PM

Title: Psalm 36
Post by: Al Moak on April 24, 2003, 12:30:18 PM
Psalm 36

There are two - and only two - kinds of people in the world.  In the words of this psalm, they are "the wicked" and "those who know You."  David wants to remind those who come early in the morning to the tabernacle, of these two kinds of people.  He reminds them because he wants them to be in the second category.  He wants them to pray for the kind of light for daily living that can come only from God and from knowing God.

He begins by singing a summary description of "the wicked."  He says that "there is no fear of God before his eyes."  It's the reason they are the wicked, the reason, in fact, for everything they think and do in life.  It answers the question, "Why are they like that?"  The answer is that they are the way they are because God is not real to them.

In fact, the way the wicked see it, there isn't anyone at all  watching them – at least anyone who might be concerned about their behavior. Simply put, such persons don't think there's a God Who cares. But David is saying that the wicked "flatters himself in his own eyes concerning the discovery of his iniquity." For that reason, "He has ceased to be wise and to do good.  He devises wickedness on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not abhor evil."

You and I should recognize the description – It's a description of the relativism of our own day that says there's no God, so every man is therefore his own standard - what's right for you is right for you, and what's right for me is right for me.

But there is one thing we really need to be aware of: there really IS a God, and He's a God Who cares!  And those who know Him love His mercy and faithfulness, His righteousness and judgements, and His providence over all His creation.  They have discovered His lovingkindness and have put their trust in it.  They're "abundantly satisfied with the fullness" of that lovingkindness, and they drink of the "river of Your pleasures" - the joy of knowing and loving the reaL and true God.  Not only so, but they've even found that they can actually understand life.  They speak to their God, and they say, "with YOU is the fountain of life - in Your light we see light."

After the people have reaffirmed their faith by singing these words, then they're ready to pray.  So David leads them in the prayer of those who truly know God.  They sing, "Oh continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart."  He prays that they might actually experience their God's dealing with them every day!  Their prayer seeks continuing realization of the Lord's reality, of His blessing, and of His care in their lives.

They close by praying to be kept from the influence of the unbelievers, lest they fall.  It's like one of the things found in the prayer our Lord taught His disciples. There they say, "Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one."  That's what this prayer does as well. 

How do you want your day to go?  Could you use this model prayer?  Will you seek every day to know the presence and blessing of a real and present God?

Title: Re:Psalm 36
Post by: Marilyn on April 26, 2003, 03:05:58 PM
In this Psalm I aprticularly like vers 5-7.
LORD, your love reaches to the heavens, your loyalty to the skies. Your goodness is as high as the mountains.Your justice is as deep as the great ocean. LORD, you protect both people and animals. God ,Your love is so precious! You protect people inthe shadow of your wings.