Protect Me Lord

Series on the Psalms

Text: Psalm 36

Title: Protect Me Lord

Introduction

Psalm 36 is marvelously simple in its structure and uniquely profound in its sentiment. It is written by David to be used in public worship “for the director of music,” as it should be because this is a message God’s people must not ignore. David’s unusual designation of himself as a servant of the Lord in the superscription is indicative of his own estimate of the importance of this teaching and its authoritative content. He is acting as a prophet. Though the Psalm contains both obscure and delightful expressions the teaching is simple and plain. On one side is the exceeding wickedness of man, on the other side is the mercy and truth of our wonderful God, and the prayer that we may be kept on the right side. This reminds us that we should not be presumptuous and we should pray for perseverance in the grace of God. Jesus said that we should pray to God, Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. We should pray each day as the Psalmist, Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. As we look at this psalm we should see a perception of evil, a proclamation of excellence, and a prayer for endurance.

I. A Perception of Evil

Archibald Alexander says verse 1 is one of the most difficult and doubtful verses in the whole book of Psalms. The King James Version gives a more literal translation, “The transgression of the wicked says within my heart.” The original Hebrew suggests that sin is the source of the oracle, which I think, means that when one observes sinners, this is what he sees. David is placing this observation in the context of divine authority. The description, which follows, is what we see around us and God is confirming this judgment here in verses 1-4, 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. Here is a picture of practical atheism. It is a list of terrible negatives. He does not fear God, he is not wise, he does not do good, and he does not abhor evil. In addition he is characterized by deceitfulness and plotting. Most of the time we are not willing to think so ill of humankind. But the Psalmist surely realized everyone was not equally bad. He is disclosing for us the true disposition of sinful man, and if we ignore it we shall imperil ourselves.

II. A Proclamation of Excellence

But ultimately the depths of human depravity are most perfectly exposed by contrast with the munificence of our creator. In this section of the Psalm, verses 5-9, David gives us a theological treatise on the transcendence and immanence of God. God is seen first in his character and then in his compassionate embrace of sinful men.

A. His Character

The Psalmist carries us from gloom to glory. He gives us a vision of the almighty in verses 5 and 6, 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. He describes God’s righteousness, faithfulness, justice and providential care. God is protector and provider and David exploits the highest reaches of creation itself to picture the greatness of these attributes. He uses terms like in the heavens, unto the skies, like the mountains, a great deep. In other words the highest and deepest experience of created beings is insufficient to describe the greatness of God. Ultimately David is saying that God is unfathomable. He works above the power of evil and beyond the reach of puny man so that he can bring about his purposes of blessing even through the malice of men which has been so graphically described in the opening verses of the Psalm. If we see who the Lord is, then all the malice of men, unrestrained as it is, leads us to trust God.

B. His Compassion

David also talks about God’s immanent concern for his people in glowing language All men regardless of circumstances can find refuge under his wings, verses 7-9, 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. Verse 8 is particularly interesting because of an allusion in the Hebrew which is hidden in the English translation. You give them drink from the river of your delights is a reference to Genesis Chapter 2. The word for delights is actually “edens” that is, a plural of the garden of Eden. The words give them to drink are actually the Hebrew water and this is the same word in Genesis 2 which describes the river which watered the garden of Eden. What the Psalmist is saying is that God will restore the intimate fellowship and care that existed before the fall. He concludes by saying God is the fountain of life and in his light we see light, which of course is the only way we see anything as it truly is in this dark world of sin. What a glowing description of a compassionate God. He is not just incomprehensible in the majesty of his person, but he is near to bless.

III. A Prayer for Endurance

And now with this contrast firmly in mind the Psalmist prays in verses 10-12 that God will continue to bless his people, 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! The word continue means to draw out or protract. The Psalmist wants to be held closely and never let go. He prays for deliverance but it is a deliverance which is necessitated by the options. If he does not have God’s favor he will be like the wicked described in verses 1-4. He ends in a confident pronouncement that the evil doers are fallen and thrown down. It means that survival depends upon our endurance and for that we must pray. Thus we recall again the words of Jesus that we should pray, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Summary of Psalm 36

In Psalm 36 David sets before us the options in much the same way that Moses says in Deuteronomy 30:15, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God. David reminds us of the sin and depravity of mankind, and he contrasts with it the sovereignty and grace of God. In all of his excellence and glory God has been pleased to restore to his people the gladness of Eden and the water of life through our Savior Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. We should be most concerned about the continuation of that love, as David is. We should pray daily that we not be led into temptation but delivered from evil.