Psalm 36
The Remnant’s Estimation of the Wicked and of Jehovah
The Remnant’s Estimation of the Wicked and of Jehovah
Psalm 36. This is a Psalm of David, and the heading suggests that the Psalm is written from the standpoint of “the servant of Jehovah”. In this Psalm we see the spirit of Christ in the remnant. It is “the servant of Jehovah”, of whom Christ is the ideal, in conference with Jehovah about the wicked. Prophetically, this might represent the character of Antichrist.
PSALM 36
To the chief Musician. A Psalm of the servant of Jehovah; of David.
1 The transgression of the wicked uttereth within my heart, “There is no fear of God before his eyes.” [quoted Rom. 3:18]
2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, even when his iniquity is found to be hateful.
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, to do good.
4 He deviseth wickedness up on his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good: he abhorreth not evil.
vv.1-4 The Servant and Jehovah in Conference About the Wicked. In v.1 we have the assessment of the servant of Jehovah concerning the wicked, “There is no fear of God before his eyes.” Note that this passage is quoted in Romans 3, where Paul gives a summary of the whole human race. Fundamentally, the fear of God is what separates the faithful from the wicked. This is the great characteristics sin of the wicked; they do not respect God or His claims. Having rejected the claims of God, the wicked open themselves up to deception. In v.2 the wicked flatter themselves, even when the things they do are “found to be hateful”. In vv.3-4 their words are untrustworthy, full of deception, and their actions are likewise evil. In v.4 we find that the imaginations and the purposes of the wicked are as corrupt as their deeds. There is no abhorrence or hatred of evil in the wicked.
5 Jehovah, thy loving-kindness is in the heavens, and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6 Thy righteousness is like the high mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: thou, Jehovah, preservest man and beast.
7 How precious is thy loving-kindness, O God! So the sons of men take refuge under the shadow of thy wings.
8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou wilt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10 Continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee, and thy righteousness to the upright in heart;
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and are not able to rise.
vv.5-12 Concerning the Character of Jehovah. Here we have a total contrast to the wicked. The servant of Jehovah can delight in the character of His Lord and Master. The heavens above witness the loving-kindness of Jehovah. His faithfulness, testified in the rainbow (Gen. 9:13), reaches unto the clouds where it can be seen as a testimony to the sons of men. The righteousness of Jehovah and His judgments are likewise beyond measure; as “high mountains” and “the great deep”. What a contrast to the wicked! But to the servant of Jehovah, His preserving care (v.6), His loving-kindness, His protection (v.7), His provision (v.8), and His refreshment (vv.8-9) are all known and appreciated by the faithful remnant. The psalmist prays (vv.10-12) that the loving-kindness of Jehovah and His righteousness, that character which the servant of Jehovah knows, would continue toward the faithful, that the enemy would not make inroads among them.