Psalm 36 🔊 1The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. 3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. 4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. 5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. 6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. 7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. 9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. 10O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. 11Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. 12There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
Today's Scripture Meaning The bad state of the wicked. (1-4) The goodness of God. (5-12) Verses 1-4: From this psalm our hearts should be duly affected with hatred of sin, and seek satisfaction in God's loving-kindness. Here is the root of bitterness, from which all the wickedness of wicked men comes. It takes rise from contempt of God, and the want of due regard to him. Also from the deceit they put upon their own souls. Let us daily beg of God to preserve us from self-flattery. Sin is very hurtful to the sinner himself, and therefore ought to be hateful; but it is not so. It is no marvel, if those that deceive themselves, seek to deceive all mankind; to whom will they be true, who are false to their own souls? It is bad to do mischief, but worse to devise it, to do it with plot and management. If we willingly banish holy meditations in our solitary hours, Satan will soon occupy our minds with sinful imaginations. Hardened sinners stand to what they have done, as though they could justify it before God himself. Verses 5-12: Men may shut up their compassion, yet, with God we shall find mercy. This is great comfort to all believers, plainly to be seen, and not to be taken away. God does all wisely and well; but what he does we know not now, it is time enough to know hereafter. God's loving-kindness is precious to the saints. They put themselves under his protection, and then are safe and easy. Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God. The gifts of Providence so far satisfy them, that they are content with such things as they have. The benefit of holy ordinances is sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual and Divine life. But full satisfaction is reserved for the future state. Their joys shall be constant. God not only works in them a gracious desire for these pleasures, but by his Spirit fills their souls with joy and peace in believing. He quickens whom he will; and whoever will, may come, and take from him of the waters of life freely. May we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, shall separate us from his love. Faith calleth things that are not, as though they were. It carries us forward to the end of time; it shows us the Lord, on his throne of judgment; the empire of sin fallen to rise no more.
Today's Scripture Application Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Psalm with Chapter 36. In our text today we see a theme of God's faithfulness, love, and justice are extended to sinners. In making application we see that no matter what we have done - God still loves us. His love is not conditional on me or my sin but rather forgiveness is extended to us. Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. His forgiveness is extended to you if - by repentance and faith - you would receive this great gift. The gift of true love. It is not conditional by what my past is or what horrible sins I may have committed. It is simply a gift of love that you can freely receive. How about you? Do you understand that God loves you? Just as you are? Have you received this free Gift of Love? Let us learn from out Psalm and text today to remember that God Loves you just as you are and has extended to you this awesome gift of Love.
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