Psalms 36
Psalms 36:1-12 (NLT)
1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.
2 In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.
3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good.
4 They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil.
5 Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.
7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.
9 For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.
10 Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts.
11 Don’t let the proud trample me or the wicked push me around.
12 Look! Those who do evil have fallen! They are thrown down, never to rise again.
This contrast between the ways of the wicked and God’s unfailing and extravagant love seems to pit God against those who are wicked. However, with the understanding we now have in the giving of Christ, while we were those very wicked and undeserving ones, God’s love is expanded even more in its inclusion of us. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” His provision, protection, and justice that He pours out on those He loves, include those who have yet to know of His love. The reaching of His love is way beyond the barriers of “deserving” and embraces those who are even dead in sin. What a wonderful, merciful, and loving Savior! How wonderful to draw near to the side of the One who has prepared and expressed His love for us long before we ever turned His way.