* The image titled, "The Building of Babel" is from "The Bible and its Story" book, authored by Charles Horne, 1909. It is now in public domain.
>1. What is an oracle? What is this oracle about? What does the wicked miss in life? Does and should the fear of God exist in the church age?
* Psalm 36:1 "An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes."
* The title is "For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD."
* KJV translated the Hebrew as:
"The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes." The KJV sentence structure is a bit outdated here, isn't it? It is harder for me to comprehend, but it is accurate.
Holman Christian Standard Bible translates the Hebrew as:
"An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked person: There is no dread of God before his eyes,"
The World English Bible has:
"A revelation is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes."
* "An oracle" -
* "within my heart"
* "concerning the sinfulness of the wicked"
* "fear" -Some translations have "dread".
* "fear of God" -A prominent element in Old Testament religion is the concept of the fear of God. Most often the sense of fear comes as individuals encounter the divine in the context of revelation. When God appears to a person, the person experiences the reality of God's holiness. This self-disclosure of God points to the vast distinction between humans and God, to the mysterious characteristic of God that at the same time attracts and repels. There is a mystery in divine holiness that causes individuals to become overwhelmed with a sense of awe and fear. They respond by falling down or kneeling in reverence and worship, confessing sin, and seeking God's will (Isaiah 6). (Holman Bible Dictionary)
* Some Christians tend to de-emphasize the fear of God in the New Testament by placing the love of God above the fear of God. There is indeed a greater emphasis on the love of God in the New Testament. However, the element of fear was part of the proclamation of the early church.
Paul admonished believers to work out their salvation "with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). The early church grew in number as they lived "in the fear of the Lord" (Acts 9:31). The fear of God is related to the love of God. The revelation of God to people in the New Testament contains the element of God's mysterious otherness calling for reverent obedience. The New Testament church stands in awe and fear in the presence of a holy God, for fear is "the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13). (Holman Bible Dictionary)
* An oracle about the wicked came to David's heart. An oracle is a command or revelation from God through the works of the Holy Spirit. Those anointed with the Spirit of God are in communion with God Almighty. Among other things, God speaks to those he is in communion with usually within our soul; that is the mind and heart. David was anointed by the prophet Samuel. This is when the Spirit of God first entered David.
Was David meditating on the word of God when God revealed a truth about the wicked? (The first six books of the Bible were the only ones written in David's time.) Perhaps David was thinking about a particular person's actions when this oracle came to him. Was David pondering why King Saul, a man also anointed by Samuel was dealing with him in such an evil manner? Maybe, David was considering if he was any different than Saul. An oracle from God may or may not have actions that precipitate it. David probably was considering Saul and the sinful nature of the human heart.
The revelation concerning the sinfulness of the wicked is this, "There is no fear of God before his eyes." This key difference separates the righteous and the wicked even if they are both anointed. The righteous fear the Lord God and the wicked have no dread of God before his eyes. The Apostle Paul used this fact to conclude the truth that all are alike under sin; no matter race, age, social place, gender, or location. (Romans 3:9, 16)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 36:1.
>2. What is the cause of the wicked not fearing God? What is flattery from a Biblical perspective? How is this blindness and wny are the religious more susceptible to it? (Matthew 15:13-14, 23:16-39)
* Psalm 36:2 "For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
* Matthew 15:13-14 "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
* Matthew 23:16-24 "Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'
17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?
18 You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.'
19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.
21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.
22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."
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* Reaction comes from action. Action comes from the thought. Thought comes from the heart. Verse 2 is the thought coming from the heart defined in verse 1. What is the action of such thinking? Then what is God's reaction to those actions? For every action, there is a reaction.
Self-flattery has a self-reaction. The self-reaction to self-flattery is the inability to detect the true sinful nature of self. The self-reaction to such blindness is the inability to hate the sin I commit. Then what is God's reaction to this action? For every action, there is a reaction.
The inability to hate the sin I commit because I blind myself to it by self-flattery that comes from a lack of fear of God has a reaction from the Lord Almighty God. For every action, there is a reaction.
God's reaction is this: "While we were sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) God demonstrates his love for us. "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." (John 12:35-36)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 36:2.
>3. What unfolds as the wicked remain in the state of blindness to self? (3-4)
* Psalm 36:3-4 "The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong."
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* The sinfulness of the wicked is further described. These are the results of a person who does not fear God. The words they speak are wicked, malicious, and deceitful. (3, 10:7) They cannot be trusted. Their speech is riddled with deception. They are not wise. They do not act wisely. They do not do good. The Lord said through the prophet Jeremiah, "My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good." (Jeremiah 4:22) Night and day they plot evil. (4)
The righteous children of God are the opposite. They meditate on God's words day and night. As Psalm 119:55-56 states, "In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts." And as Apostle Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69) They commune with God at night on their bed. Psalm 63:6 states, "On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night." Their night is filled with thoughts of the promises of God. Psalm 119:148 states, "My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises." What do I think about during the night? My words in the morning are the results of thoughts at night.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 36:3-4.
II. Love, Faithfulness, Righteousness, Justice (36:5-8)
* The image titled, "The Glory of God" is from "The Bible and its Story" book, authored by Charles Horne, 1909. It is now in public domain.
>4. With a shift from the wicked to the character traits of God, what is the author doing? What does the author brag about? (5-6) What is love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice? What example is given in verse 6?
* Psalm 36:5-6 "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast."
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* Four attributes of God are revealed; love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice. Without one there is not the other. They are coedependant. They encompass all the realms of creation. Human existence is not complete without them. The human heart cries when even one is missing. Without all the human spirit is dead.
The glory of God is realized in love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice. The heavenly height of God's love is his Son giving his life on the cross. The extent of his faithfulness is displayed in the Savior hanging on a tree. The might of his righteousness is Jesus' death for my impunity. The depths of his justice is the equilibrium his sacrifice makes.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 36:5-6.
>5. What is priceless? Why? (7-8) Is anyone excluded? What does it mean to feast on it? What is the river of delights?
* Psalm 36:7-8 "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights."
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* A blazing sun, rain from clouds, hawks above, and prowling foxes and cats frighten young chicks. Everything frightens chicks that have only been hatched a few days prior. Fluffy feathers are no protection from danger and evil. Screeching skies, screams in a forest night, and meows from tall grasses are terrifying. Refuge is found under a parent's wing. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
Strong gentle feathers lead chicks to feasting abundance and rivers of delight. A chick is happy and at peace from the love of Father. Lead me to your abundance. Let me drink your delights. They chirp in joy. All who hear know they are happy.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 36:7-8.
III. The Evildoers Lie Fallen (36:9-12)
* The image titled, "The Glory of God" is from "The Bible and its Story" book, authored by Charles Horne, 1909. It is now in public domain.
>6. What is the fountain of life? What does "in your light we see light" mean? How is this linked with the fountain of life? (John 1:4, 8:12)
* Psalm 36:9 "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light."
* John 1:4-5 "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
* John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
* "Fountain of life" -1. Causality. It is in God as in a fountain, and from him is derived to us.
2. Abundance.
3. Excellency. Water is sweetest in the fountain; and fountains were rare and highly prized in those hot countries.
"Of life" meaning of that glorious, and blessed, and endless life, which alone is worthy of the name of life; this life being only a passage to death, and a theatre of great and manifold calamities. Although it be true, that God is the fountain both of natural and spiritual life. (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible)
* "In Your light, we will see light" is poetry magnificent. Yet, it can bewilder the impatient reader. God's glory is described as brilliant light. (Exodus 16:7,10; 40:34-35) Moses thought it was a burning bush that was not consumed. "To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain" of the covenant. (Exodus 24:17) The shepherds who heard the message of the Messiah's birth saw the glory of the Lord. "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." (Luke 2:9) Peter, James, and John witnessed the glory of Jesus when he went up the mountain. "There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light." (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2-3)
What is the Lord Jesus' light? And what does it mean, "we will see light"? Apostle John wrote, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:4-5) Jesus told a crowd at the temple, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The Lord's light is the fountain of life as the sun is a source of light.
The light (glory) of the Lord is the extension of the Spirit, the source of spiritual life, the essence of living, and the essential to man's eternal life in bliss. The light of the Lord Jesus is perfected holiness. Seeing God's light is living in completeness. Jesus is life. "To see light" is to experience Jesus. (16:10, 27:13, 34:8,12, 49:,9,19, 89:48, 90:15, 106:5)
David elsewhere wrote, "For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." (56:13) Job 33:29-30 states, "God does all these things to a man-- twice, even three times-- to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him." The Prophet Isaiah wrote of the Messiah Jesus, "After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:11)
Step into Jesus' light and experience life like you have never before and will ever more want to experience.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 36:9.
>7. What is two of the blessing to know the Lord? (10)
* Psalm 36:10 "Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart."
* "to those who know you" -Personal intimate relationship. More than a spouse.
* "to the upright in heart." -Defining those who know God.
* What does it mean to know someone? When I say, "I know him or her," what am I saying? Am I saying I know something about them? Or perhaps, am I perceiving things about them? Maybe I am even saying, "I know all about them. I know how they think, what motivates them, their fears, what they take pleasure in, what they believe, what they think they believe, who and what they love, and who and what they hate." I say, "I know their soul and I know their body." However, many acquaintances, friends, family, and even spouses who say they know someone, later sometimes confess, "I guess I never really knew him or her at all."
If I say, "I know God" as verse 10 states, "Continue your love to those who know you," what am I saying? Jesus, speaking about the judgment to come said, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:22-23) Those people obviously knew something about Jesus and even did things for his namesake. Yet, he states they did not know him, and thus he never knew them.
I know one certain way to really know a person's soul. I cannot know them if I do not spend time interacting, that is communing with them. How can a disciple be in a state of intimate, heightened sensitivity and receptivity with the Lord Jesus?
Apostle Paul considered his past religious concepts based on his perception of God's word rubbish. He wrote, "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 36:10.
>8. What is the request in verse 11? What was the result in verse 12?
* Psalm 36:11-12 "May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen-- thrown down, not able to rise!"
* David, the author prays concerning the proud wicked evildoers. He desires that they be driven away. Did he actually witness that at the end of his trial they lie fallen and were not able to rise? Did he see that they had physically died? Perhaps.
Most definitely David is prophesying about the final judgment. A day is coming when all will have to give an account for the things done while in the flesh; whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Jesus taught, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' (Matthew 25:31-36, 41-43)
