Prayer Meeting August 13, 2008
Psalm 36
A Psalm of Moral Contrasts
This Psalm looks into the HEART OF MAN, and the HEART of GOD
It’s important to recognize both, because without God’s grace, we are wicked
“People of the Lie” – a psychological examination of the problem of evil
strange theology, but interesting observations. We don’t need psychology to describe evil.
3 PARTS to PSALM 36
Words about the SINFUL
Words about GOD’s ATTRIBUTES
Words about GOD’S PROTECTION for His chosen ones Or
*The SINNER (1-4) The SAVIOR (5-9) The SAINTS (10-12)
*(Scrogie)
I. The SINNER
A. The wicked are characterized by what they do NOT do!
This contrasts the wicked who resist God because they view Him as always saying “no”
1. No fear of God (36:1)
2. Ceases to be wise (36:3b)
3. Ceases to do good (36:3b)
4. Does not reject what is wrong (36:4)
5. WORDS
a. Transgression – they actions. “Rebellion, crimes” Heb Pe sa
b. Wicked – their character. Wicked, unrighteous, guilty, lawbreakers, violate God’s standards. Heb ra sa
B. The wicked are narcissistic 36:2 “flatter themselves”
1. They have to cover up for themselves because if they were honest, they would detest themselves
2. Evil should cause us to be SICKENED
C. Progression of wickedness
1. His WORDS, 3a
2. His THOUGHTS, 4a “even on his bed” – consumed by evil
3. His ACTIONS, 4b “he commits himself to a sinful course
II. The SAVIOR – In contrast to the WICKED, the SAVIOR is holy
A. Note the EXTREMES of God’s character:
1. HEAVENS
2. SKIES
3. MOUNTAINS
4. OCEAN DEEP
B. The PROTECTION of the Lord
1. Man and beast (6)
2. High and low (7)
C. The SUSTAINING of the Lord
1. 8 you give them drink from the river of delights
2. The Fountain of Life
3. The Light of life
a. (Psalm 56:13) "For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."
b. (John 8:12) " When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”"
D. These verses remind us that the reward of the LORD is greater than the delights of wickedness!
III. The SAINT
Because of the wicked, the righteous need God’s protection. READ LETTER from PETER VERKEIK
A. Continue your love
B. Protect us from the FOOT and the HAND of the wicked (11)
C. The WICKED will perish
1. (Psalm 1:6) "For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."
2. (Psalm 37:20) "But the wicked will perish: The Lord’s enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke."