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)
o Disciples called Jesus good and He said, “Why do you call me good?”
o Imagine outstretched arms of God, we are protected in the shadow
o He provides a refuge and a shelter for us to reside under
• He satisfies his people (v8)
o Ps 34:8 - Taste and see (that the Lord is good) … He satisfies
o IMP: When we find satisfaction in Him, stop wanting our stuff
• He sustains his people (v9-10)
o Not only does He satisfy … but he sustains (like nourishment)
o We find filling in what He gives; for body and the soul
o EX: Israelites found nourishment in trusting Him in the wilderness
But, this comes at a price (warning) …
4. God is vengeful
• He punishes the proud (v11) – Don’t want to be caught in His punishment
• He eliminates evildoers (v12) – Once God defeats something, it is finished
- TRANS: Probably asking … “So, what am I supposed to do with this?”
Big Idea – We need to realize who we are
- In comparison … we really are sinful and full of ourselves
- This is the main point David is getting at … we are everything He isn’t
-- APP: When we can start admitting who we are our focus begins to change
• We stop relying on ourselves for the answers
• We stop thinking that we have everything figured out
• We stop telling God what we should be doing and start asking Him
- Maybe today will be the start of that for you
- Or maybe today is another day in a life-long journey
- God loved you so much He sent His Son to die for you
- Why? So, you could be forgiven of all the sin you bring to the table
- If you would only accept this gift, then you can be forgiven and restored
- Consider that, and then ponder verse 7 … re-read
- Even in the face of all that we are … we still find refuge in God
- Truly, we serve a mighty and loving God!
- Pray (repent – forgive – look to God)
Thx for watching … invite to join us this Sunday here on FB or in person
For more info visit our website: LivingFaithMillbrook.com
* Special thanks to Holman Old Testament Commentary for the foundational outline of this sermon.
