Psalm 36

Have you experienced God’s Loving kindness or loving devotion? David writes about God’s traits of love, faithfulness, and refreshment in Psalms 36. He describes this in verses 5-7 Berean Standard Bible:

In Psalm 36: v1-4 describe the wicked (explore this at end of post)

5Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,

Your faithfulness to the clouds.

6Your righteousness is like the highest mountains;

Your judgments are like the deepest sea.

O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

7How precious is Your loving devotion, O God,

that the children of men take refuge

in the shadow of Your wings!

David poetically describes God’s love which He extends to those who know Him (verse 10). His loving devotion reaches to the heavens. In the Hebrew understanding, this “heavens” is the realm wherein God Himself resides. Think about the height of the clouds! God is faithful! For a detailed explanation:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/faithful-faithfulness/

A.I. generated eagle mother over her chicks

Just a mother bird extends her wings to cover her chicks and keep them warm, so God lovely comforts and covers us in life. Feathers aren’t just to allow birds to fly but also to keep them dry and warm. Maybe that’s why that people have used feathers for pillows and bedding materials. The feathers make for a comfy warm, but not too hot bedding material.

Loving kindness is a Hebrew word that has no direct English word equivalent. Darrell Block explains it as:

“Hesed is “wrapping up in itself all the positive attributes of God: love, covenant faithfulness, mercy, grace, kindness, loyalty–in short, acts of devotion and loving-kindness that go beyond the requirements of duty”

for more:

The Meaning of Hesed: Hebrew Word for Love

God’s love is more than just a feeling. It’s a loving devotion that is active and loyal. God is true to His nature and we can rest secure in His presence. Do you know God? Is He an idea or concept or Divine Person present in your life?

Two friends hiking together along the Journey of Life, A.I through Night Cafe Studio

Abundance in God

David encourages us to enjoy the abundance of God’s house. Consider these verses as being a testimony of the delight of being in God’s presence (v8-10).

8They feast on the abundance of Your house,

and You give them drink from Your river of delights.

9For with You is the fountain of life;

in Your light we see light.

10Extend Your loving devotion to those who know You,

and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

David uses imagery of refreshment: abundance, God’s river of delights, “fountain of life,” and most importantly the light. David uses the term for morning light, bright light, to describe God’s light. This Hebrew word is present in Genesis 1 as God creates the light. God is our Light!

This loving devotion comes to those who know God. This “know” is knowing from being in relationship with a person. Not just factual but learned and experiential knowledge that comes about through relationship. God wants us to truly know and experience Him in all His goodness, righteousness.

The “upright in heart” refers to a person who is seeking God and walking with integrity. This is in contrast to the references to the wicked in verses 1-4, and 11-12. For a detailed explanation of upright or yashar:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/upright-uprightness.html

Stream of Refreshment, A.I. using Night Cafe Studio

The Wicked

David reflects on the wicked, evil person. He makes the following observations (v1-4):

1. there is no fear (reverence and respect) for God in such hearts
2. too conceited and blinded to recognize and hate own sins
3. speaks deceitfully turns from wisdom and well doing
4. plots wickedness and fails to reject evil.

What an accurate description of those who are wicked and take part in evil! David asks God to deliver him (v11-12):

11Let not the foot of the proud come against me,

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12There the evildoers lie fallen,

thrown down and unable to rise.

Verse 12 describes a vivid image in Hebrew language. The phrase “thrown down” means to be violently pushed down, translated literally “they have been cast down.”

David gives us an example of praying for God’s protection from prideful and wicked people. David experienced this as King Saul ruthlessly chased him and sought to kill him.

Next post will cover reflections on Psalm 103: a Psalm of Thanks and Praise!