For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD.
The attribute "servant of the LORD", describing David, occurs only in one other psalm, Psalm 18.
Psalm 36:1-4, An oracle
An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
Even on his bed he plots evil;
he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.
This song is an essay on the thoughts and actions of the wicked, along with David's resolution to trust God, to be God's servant and to seek God's refuge. David, in earlier psalms, has passionately called out for help from those who attack him. Here he is calmer, more thoughtful, writing out his views on these conflicts.
The first verse, about "an oracle" is translated by others (including Alter and Kidner) as expressing statements by a personification of wickedness. Robert Alter's translation begins "Crime's utterance to the wicked within his heart: ..." and goes on to described what "Crime" (or "Evil") says to the wicked person. (Some argue that the possessive pronoun translated "my" in the NIV is the Hebrew word "his"; apparently some ancient manuscripts support this.)
David argues that the "wicked" person "flatters himself" (or is so flattered by Evil) so that he cannot detect his rebellion against God and certainly cannot see the rebellion enough to hate it. Human rationalization is strong, very personal and (in my experience) so so difficult to catch. Long ago, I was astonished by my ability to always argue (internally) in my favor, to even lie to myself to avoid the discomfort, the dissonance that comes from thinking (just for a moment) that I might be in the wrong. Because this rationalization is so deep and pervasive in the human heart, one who seeks to be "good" must be willing to examine one's heart and motives -- and to not accept, "I'm OK", as an immediate flippant response from one's soul.
Self-examination, although uncomfortable, leads to clarity and wisdom and eventually to a satisfied life. To quote a wise individual (not a Christian), "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Psalm 36:5-9, Your love
The first verse, about "an oracle" is translated by others (including Alter and Kidner) as expressing statements by a personification of wickedness. Robert Alter's translation begins "Crime's utterance to the wicked within his heart: ..." and goes on to described what "Crime" (or "Evil") says to the wicked person. (Some argue that the possessive pronoun translated "my" in the NIV is the Hebrew word "his"; apparently some ancient manuscripts support this.)
David argues that the "wicked" person "flatters himself" (or is so flattered by Evil) so that he cannot detect his rebellion against God and certainly cannot see the rebellion enough to hate it. Human rationalization is strong, very personal and (in my experience) so so difficult to catch. Long ago, I was astonished by my ability to always argue (internally) in my favor, to even lie to myself to avoid the discomfort, the dissonance that comes from thinking (just for a moment) that I might be in the wrong. Because this rationalization is so deep and pervasive in the human heart, one who seeks to be "good" must be willing to examine one's heart and motives -- and to not accept, "I'm OK", as an immediate flippant response from one's soul.
Self-examination, although uncomfortable, leads to clarity and wisdom and eventually to a satisfied life. To quote a wise individual (not a Christian), "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Psalm 36:5-9, Your love
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
After focusing on his enemies in the first four verses, David moves, in sharp contrast, to listing the characteristics of God. These characteristics provide a strong motive for seeking righteousness and acting justly.
The poetry here emphasizes extremes -- while God's justice is like the highest mountains, God's justice extends to the deepest parts.
David's great grandmother, Ruth, also took refuge in the shadow of God's wings: Ruth 2:12.
Psalm 36:10-12, Continue your love
Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
May the foot of the proud not come against me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
See how the evildoers lie fallen-- thrown down, not able to rise!
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