Transgression Speaks To The Wicked
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God before their eyes ...
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
-- Psalm 36:1, 7-9
Theme: The perversity of the rebel and the great goodness of God
Outline
1-4 -- Lament over the perverse character of the rebellious.
5-9 -- Adoration of the character of the righteous God.
10-12 -- Prayer for blessing and protection.
Notes
• Mixed
• Transgression (pesha) means rebellion, suggesting apostasy or willful disregard for the covenant (v. 1). Paul quotes verse 1 in Romans 3, where he says all have sinned, no one is righteous, and his grace in Christ is for everyone.
• A good description of practical atheism, the idea of no accountability for one's life and action (v. 2). This is pathetic especially in the unlikelihood of a conviction of sin and repentance.
• Key words about God: steadfast love (hesed) = loyal covenanted love; faithfulness (emunah) = his complete reliability, never false; righteousness (tsedeq) = doing what is right, fair, and just; and judgment (mishpat) = ably administering justice (vv. 5-6). (Note: God's care is for the animals, too!)
For Reflection
• Verses 7-9 are among the most beautiful words in the Psalter. A hymn of adoration of God for "all people" to know and enjoy.
• For God's incomparable bounty, read John 4:13-14 and 7:37-39.
Prayer
We pray that all people may come to know you, Lord God, and, renouncing the ways of sin, may feast on the abundance of your house, drink from the river of your delights, and partake of the fountain of life, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
there is no fear of God before their eyes ...
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
-- Psalm 36:1, 7-9
Theme: The perversity of the rebel and the great goodness of God
Outline
1-4 -- Lament over the perverse character of the rebellious.
5-9 -- Adoration of the character of the righteous God.
10-12 -- Prayer for blessing and protection.
Notes
• Mixed
• Transgression (pesha) means rebellion, suggesting apostasy or willful disregard for the covenant (v. 1). Paul quotes verse 1 in Romans 3, where he says all have sinned, no one is righteous, and his grace in Christ is for everyone.
• A good description of practical atheism, the idea of no accountability for one's life and action (v. 2). This is pathetic especially in the unlikelihood of a conviction of sin and repentance.
• Key words about God: steadfast love (hesed) = loyal covenanted love; faithfulness (emunah) = his complete reliability, never false; righteousness (tsedeq) = doing what is right, fair, and just; and judgment (mishpat) = ably administering justice (vv. 5-6). (Note: God's care is for the animals, too!)
For Reflection
• Verses 7-9 are among the most beautiful words in the Psalter. A hymn of adoration of God for "all people" to know and enjoy.
• For God's incomparable bounty, read John 4:13-14 and 7:37-39.
Prayer
We pray that all people may come to know you, Lord God, and, renouncing the ways of sin, may feast on the abundance of your house, drink from the river of your delights, and partake of the fountain of life, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
