A Study Of Psalm 36 Series

A Study of Psalm 36

Psalm 36

Introduction

- Wed night format; opportunity to study together from our homes

-- Ms. Lilly earlier: It's an "in your jammies, pet friendly, interactive bible study"

- Ask questions if you’d like in the comments (during this time or later)

-- Re: Invite someone else to join in – not an exclusive study for “just LFC”

- Psalms broken into 5 books, cover an extensive time period

- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning

- We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … primary focus on David’s experience

- The Psalms have already given us plenty of opportunities to praise

- We are all busy … but if we are too busy to praise God it’s time to re-evaluate

- This psalm is not for the faint of heart … it really is a message for today

-- It reveals the utter sinfulness of man – and yet how good God is

-- Truly … this ought to give us cause to pause – to focus – to serve

- It is written for the director of music, from David “the” servant of the Lord

-- FREE: What an incredible transcription to be placed on a tombstone …

- Read Psalm 36:1-12 / Pray

Point 1 – Man is sinful

- FACT: David is burdened; for what he sees around him (v1)

-- This burden has risen up in him to make some pretty bold statements

- Remember: We’ve seen something like this before – Psalm 14:1-3: The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

- In this Psalm, David identifies three simple facts about man:

1. Man is arrogant

• We have no fear of god (v1) – essence: man has no respect of God

o CHAL: At our core, we love being in control

o It’s what drives us to love our sin – it’s about us

o Therefore, why would man respect God?

• We have no humility (v2)

o Goes to having no fear of God

o We love to hear stories about ourselves as the hero

o We crave recognition and applause

o David says: And that’s our downfall!

2. Man is twisted

• We choose wicked words (v3a)

o We live to speak wicked things

o Again, we like to be the center and point out others flaws

• We proceed with bad information (3b)

o We don’t act wisely, or make good decisions

o Often, we try to manipulate situation to benefit ourselves

• We delight in corrupt works (3c)

o Man chooses things that are ungodly

o APP: We would rather do our thing than His …

Gee … doesn’t David sound like a great guy we’d love to hang out with? Ouch.

3. Man is conniving

• At our core, we always plot evil (4a)

o Even at night, we plot how to do things for ourselves

o We set the course, we choose the road, and we decide to do it

o Never once do we willingly seek God out …

• And once we plot, we pursue the wrong course (4b)

o Which leads us to pursuing wrong things

o We choose what is wicked, and decide it sounds good

- Paul: Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”

- There is no explanation … except that (pause) “we like what we like (our sin)”

- Repentance is not easy, nor is forsaking sin for God’s ways

-- However, it is what we are called to do … leads to life everlasting

- TRANS: In contrast, David compares who we are to who God is

Point 2 – God is … everything we are not

1. God is loving

• He is favoring (v5a)

o Can hear Mac Powell (Third Day) “Your Love, Oh Lord” singing

• He is faithful (v5b)

o His love never fails, it is complete, it reaches heavens

o (Creation) – He divided the space between heavens and land

o David says, “Your love fills that space, it stretches …”

2. He is righteous

• He is immovable (v6)

o Just like we cannot move a mountain, his love is solid and firm

o His love does not change, it is solid and trustworthy

o He protects what is His; He keeps His promises

3. He is good

• He shelters his people (v7)