March 29, 2017 (Wednesday)
An enduring principle on earth is the existence of good and evil, and the stark contrast between the two. The New Testament makes clear that we are always engaged in a war between good and evil (Ephesians 6). David, as Psalmist, repeats this theme in his poems and songs. He always prays for God to help him as he fights against evil forces which seek his destruction.
Psalm 36
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Wickedness of Men and Lovingkindness of God
A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord
THE PRINCIPLE OF GODLESSNESS (1-2)
1 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.
THE PRACTICAL RESULTS OF GODLESSNESS (3-4)
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He plans wickedness upon his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not despise evil.
THE GLORY OF GOD’S ATTRIBUTES (5-6)
5 Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS TO MAN (7-9)
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
PRAYER FOR BLESSING (10)
10 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
PRAYER FOR PROTECTION (11)
11 Let not the foot of pride come upon me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
DEFEAT OF THE WICKED (12)
12 There the doers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Wickedness of Men and Lovingkindness of God
A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord
THE PRINCIPLE OF GODLESSNESS (1-2)
1 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.
THE PRACTICAL RESULTS OF GODLESSNESS (3-4)
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He plans wickedness upon his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not despise evil.
THE GLORY OF GOD’S ATTRIBUTES (5-6)
5 Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS TO MAN (7-9)
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
PRAYER FOR BLESSING (10)
10 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
PRAYER FOR PROTECTION (11)
11 Let not the foot of pride come upon me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
DEFEAT OF THE WICKED (12)
12 There the doers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.