Psalm 36: Masterpiece of Steadfast Love

Transgression speaks to the wicked
    deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
    before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes
    that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
    he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 He plots trouble while on his bed;
    he sets himself in a way that is not good;
    he does not reject evil.
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5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    your judgments are like the great deep;
    man and beast you save, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light do we see light.
10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
    and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie fallen;
    they are thrust down, unable to rise.
 
 
Meditation
God desires to paint a picture of His sovereign grace on the canvas of your life. Two strokes from today’s psalm reveal this reality: The contrast of our rebellion and His rescue alongside the contours of His righteousness and steadfast love. In our sanctification journey we live mingled realities of rebellion and righteousness. God’s rescue is received by faith and will restore our lives to be beautiful pictures of His steadfast love.
 
Rebellion (1-4): The insurrection of humanity against God is evidenced by the transgression and wickedness in our heart, self-flattery, hatred of others, deceit, planning problems, and not rejecting evil. The dark valley of rebellion is a reality for every sinful heart (Romans 3:8 quotes 36:1 in the litany of condemnation found in Romans 1:28-3:20).
 
Rescue (5-9): God saves all who trust in His righteousness and steadfast love (emphasized in 5, 7, 8, 10) which extends to the Heavens. God’s righteousness is like the mountains and His grace is deep like the oceans. Jesus is clearly the culmination of God’s rescue: Jesus is the bread we feast on (8a; John 6:35); Jesus is the living water (9a; John 4:10); Jesus is the Light of lights (9b; John 1:4; 8:12). 
 
Response (10-12): Worship is the faithful response to God’s gracious invitation of rescue, calling upon the Lord to continue His steadfast love (10), to uphold the righteousness of our hearts (19), to keep us humbly dependent on Him (11), and to mercifully keep us from evil (12). Receiving God’s rescue will restore our souls and reveal a masterpiece of God’s grace.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the depth of our rebellion (1-4) and the height of God’s rescue (5-9)?
 
-Where do you resist God’s rescue? How does this (or not) hinder the painting of God’s grace through your life and leadership?
 
-Where (specifically) do you need to receive the finished work of Jesus to free you from rebellion of your heart? Take a moment to ask Jesus to rescue you from your sin. Repent. Take refuge in God’s sovereign grace. Live a restored life as His masterpiece of Grace.
 
Key Verse
10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!