Psalms

Psalms 36: Life beneath His loving kindness

Begin in prayer

Before we consider the excuses a sinful heart can make, let us come into the light of God's Word. Ask God to expose our excuses and show us the refuge found in His loving kindness through Christ.

You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Micah 7:20

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the LORD sees our sin and gives refuge and life through His precious loving kindness. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David describes the wicked man whose lack of fear before God lets him flatter himself instead of detecting and hating his sin. His deceitful words grow into settled plans for evil, even on his bed. David then turns to the LORD, whose loving kindness, faithfulness, righteousness and judgments reach beyond human measurement. The God who preserves people and animals gives refuge beneath His wings and abundant satisfaction in His house. With Him is the spring of life, and in His light His people see light. David asks for continuing loving kindness and protection from proud enemies, whose fall leaves them unable to rise.

As you read Psalms 36, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD preserves His creatures and gives refuge, satisfaction and life through His precious loving kindness.

David's diagnosis begins with the missing fear of God, which allows self flattery to hide the wicked man's guilt from his own eyes. His speech and chosen path follow that blindness, until even his bed becomes a place for planning evil. Romans 3 verse 18 uses the opening charge in Paul's account of humanity's guilt before God. Against this small, self satisfied life, the heavens, skies, mountains and deep picture the vastness of God's faithful character. His care reaches ordinary creatures, while those taking refuge beneath His wings find shelter in His precious loving kindness. The abundance of His house and river of pleasures picture the satisfaction He gives to those He welcomes. A spring supplies water from its source, explaining why life and light depend upon the Lord who gives them. David asks this loving kindness to continue for those who know God, while proud evildoers end fallen and unable to rise.

How does Psalm 36 show us that the LORD preserves His creatures and gives refuge, satisfaction and life through His precious loving kindness?

The LORD sees the sin that self flattery hides.

The wicked man has no fear of God before his eyes. He stops detecting and hating his own sin, so his words and plans become deceitful. David traces the chosen evil path to that refusal to fear the LORD.

The LORD's loving kindness gives refuge and life.

The God whose faithfulness reaches the skies preserves people and animals. Those sheltering beneath His wings find abundance in His house. Life has its spring in Him, and His light enables His people to see.

The LORD keeps His people while proud evildoers fall.

David asks for continuing loving kindness to those who know God. He brings the threat of proud hands and feet before the Lord. The final picture leaves evildoers thrust down, unable to rise.

Memorise

For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.

Psalm 36:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I excusing sin instead of seeking the light of Jesus?

David confesses, “with you is the spring of life.” The self flattering heart cannot create that life or light for itself. Refuge is found beneath the wings of the God whose loving kindness he calls precious.

Our own sin has darkened our hearts and made us guilty. Jesus died in His people's place, bearing the punishment their rebellion deserved. He rose from the dead. His people's whole debt has been settled, opening a welcome into God's presence that rests on the life and death He completed.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. Mercy and forgiveness are found in the living Christ by every sinner who trusts Him. Ask Him to expose the excuses that keep you from hating your sin. Those who belong to Him may seek their satisfaction in the living Lord, whose faithful loving kindness can never run dry.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sees our sin and gives refuge and life through His precious loving kindness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His precious loving kindness and the life found in Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 1:4

Lord of life, please expose the sin we have excused and teach us to fear You. Bring us to Jesus for pardon through His finished work. Thank You for the loving kindness in which Your people take refuge. Give us contentment in Your care and keep pride from ruling our hearts this week. Amen.