August 28, 2023 -- Psalm 36:1-6 -- The Psalm Series: What are you listening for?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the louds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O LORD.

Psalm 36:1-6 ESV

Notice there are two categories of hearers. The first are those who are listening for and meditating on wickedness and self-flattery. The second are those who listen for goodness of God and meditate on His steadfast love always thinking about His character.

The wicked are self-absorbed. They are bent on evil and not even aware of the course of destruction they have taken on. Why is this Psalm written and sung in the congregation of God’s people? It is a warning. Wickedness and trouble and self-deceit are closer than the believers realizes. It is not until one looks to the precious steadfast love of God that he has light enough to discern his own dark thoughts.

The LORD’s love is evident in creation. The clouds and the mountains, the great deeps of the oceans and the variety of creatures on the face of the earth constantly reveal the LORD Who is near, Who is loving, Who is Good, Who is the source of all that is excellent and pure. The believer listens for this, discerning it from the cacophony of life and the clashing noisiness of evil-doers all around. The believer realizes how easily led-astray his own heart would be unless the LORD’s steadfast love, which is stronger, greater, and more persistent than evil, takes hold of him. This steadfast love is known to New Testament Christians. He is Jesus.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Great is Your love, revealed to Your people through Jesus Christ, the Beloved One. By the powerful working of Your Spirit help us, Your children to hear the voice of Your great compassion in the beauty of nature, in the terrible splendor of storms and as we watch history unfolding. By Your Spirit living in us, teach us to discern Your goodness amid the day’s persistent flow of evil masquerading as inviting, tempting, worldly good enough. As Your people meditate on Your faithfulness, righteousness, judgments and providential works, let our hearts sing to You, blessing You and praising You. Through such meditation as we more clearly distinguish and reject evil for the vile poison it is let us instead deeply drink in Your love at every opportunity. Amen.

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