Thy Strong Word – Psalm 36: How Precious is Your Steadfast Love

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Rev. Nathan Meador, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wisconsin, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Psalm 36.

David was a prophet, not just a king. Here in Psalm 36, David prophecies about the evil of humanity. His words condemn the godless in particular, but these words of law convict all of us, since we all share in the sinful posture of pride. In pride, we say “Chief of sinners though I be, so-and-so is worse than me.” It’s all about making comparisons.

The comparison ought to be made, however, not to the people around us, but to the unchanging judgments of God. They are higher than the heavens and more fundamental than the “cosmic abyss” of Genesis 1. The universal and timeless scope of God’s righteousness is terrifying, but it’s also comforting. God is intimately involved with His creation. He does not leave us helpless against the plots of evil men, but He thrusts them down with “the foot” of His Messiah, crushing the head of the ancient serpent and the forces of darkness.

Underwriter of Thy Strong Word

Thy Strong Word is a daily in-depth study of the books of the Bible with host Rev. AJ Espinosa and guest pastors from across the country. Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation and produced by the LCMS Office of National Mission.

Psalm 36

How Precious Is Your Steadfast Love

To the choirmaster. Of David, the servant of the Lord.

36 Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;[a]
there is no fear of God
before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Lord.

7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.

10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.

Footnotes:

Psalm 36:1 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac, Jerome (compare Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts in my heart

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org