In Psalm 36, David feels something has to be said - an oracle from God, no less - on the sinfulness of the wicked. He laments that “there is no fear of God before their eyes” and so their words are “wicked and deceitful” and their commitment is to all that is wrong.
A just and justified assessment. And one that transcends time and place, having a universal and present significance. How can we look around, both near and far, and not similarly grieve?
But there’s something striking about how David proceeds here. What began as an oracle about the wicked becomes a paean of praise to the living God in verses 5 to 9. There, David’s words are exalted because the LORD himself is so; his love “reaches to the heavens, [his] faithfulness to the skies”. The righteousness and justice of God have a permanence and a depth that far outstrip and outlast the wretchedness of human rebellion.
David treasures the priceless covenant love of the LORD and recognises that he alone is the true and lasting refuge for all people. And, more than simply being a hiding place, he opens up the riches of his home and his heart to those who seek him:
“they feast in the abundance of your house;
You give them drink from your river of delights.”
There is a vital lesson in what and how David writes here. A musing on the wrongs of the day and feeling a true sense of righteous indignation comes with its own dangers. If we fail to couple it with a serious and awe-filled grasp of the biblical portrait of the glory and majesty of God and the endless delights of his fellowship, it can so easily lapse into a self-regarding, even pompous parade of merely human bluster. Devoting all your energy to condemning sin runs the risk of failing to truly honour the Lord for who he is and all he has done and to emptying your soul of the vivifying affects of worship.
As you listen to and observe the world around you, as you feel deeply the appalling nature of sin (in your own heart, too), resolve to focus even more thought and contemplation on the one whose ways are true, whose love is your hiding place, whose mercy in Christ is the only hope for such a world.
************
All my hope on God is founded;
He doth still my trust renew,
Me through change and chance He guideth,
Only good and only true.
God unknown,
He alone
Calls my heart to be His own.
Pride of man and earthly glory,
Sword and crown betray his trust;
What with care and toil he buildeth,
Tower and temple, fall to dust.
But God's power,
Hour by hour,
Is my temple and my tower.
God's great goodness aye endureth,
Deep His wisdom, passing thought:
Splendour, light, and life attend Him,
Beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
From his store
New-born worlds rise and adore.
Daily doth the almighty Giver
Bounteous gifts on us bestow;
His desire our soul delighteth,
Pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
At his hand;
Joy doth wait on His command.
Still from man to God eternal
Sacrifice of praise be done,
High above all praises praising
For the gift of Christ His Son.
Christ doth call
One and all:
Ye who follow shall not fall.
(Robert Seymour Bridges, 1844-1930,
from Joachim Neander, 1650-80)
