Psalm 36- The Vastness of God’s Love -

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This is another of the psalms written by David, and unusually for this group of psalms, we are not able to link it to any specific event or occasion.

At first glance, it can almost appear as if its two parts are separate psalms that have somehow been joined together. But as we look deeper, we can see how both parts fit together as two contrasting sides of the same picture — like a skilful painter creating a contrast between the glories of a wonderful sunrise and the darkness of night. As we read this psalm, we may notice the similarity between the contrasts of the wicked and the righteous and the pattern we see in Psalm 1.

One way to read this psalm is to view it as a journey in five steps:

1.  V 1–4: What it is like for those who have no fear of God.

2.  V 5–9: The amazing, incredible love of Yahweh.

3.  V  7–9: What it is like for those who live under the shadow of Yahweh’s wings.

4.  V 10–11: Asking the One who loves us to protect us.

5.  V  12: The fate of the proud and the evildoer.

 

Step 1 — V 1–4: The Whisper of the Wicked Deep Within Their Heart

David begins by declaring a message from God — from Elohim — as a sense from the Holy Spirit about the nature of those who rebel against God. He is not describing people like all of us who at times make wrong decisions or fail to live fully for the Lord. No, he is describing those he calls the wicked, those who, as he says, have no fear of God before their eyes.

Or as the New Living Translation puts it: “In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.”

David is describing those who choose to rebel against God and ignore His ways. Unusually for David, he describes them in detail — yet at this point he does not declare any consequence.

 

Step 2 — V 5–6: The Sudden Contrast

Suddenly, in complete contrast — just like an artist drawing a dividing line between night and day on the canvas — there is a dramatic change. David begins to describe the incredible, unfailing, steadfast love of Yahweh.

Notice the use of the divine name. When David is talking about the wicked, he uses the word God — Elohim — speaking of the great transcendent God who can at times feel distant. But now, as David speaks of love, he uses the name Yahweh, the intimate, personal name of God.

And we read: “Your unfailing love reaches to the heavens.” This is what the Lord’s incredible love is like: higher than the sky, bigger than mountains, deeper than the sea. There is an echo here of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (3:18–19), so often remembered in the old Sunday School song; ‘So high you can’t get over it, So low you can’t under it…’

This is the incredible, unfailing, steadfast love of Yahweh.

 

Step 3 — V 7–9: Living Under the Shadow of Yahweh’s Wings

David gently moves from speaking about Yahweh to speaking about the effects on those who live under His love.

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!” Instantly we meet that wonderful Old Testament image — familiar to many who daily saw chicks sheltering under the wings of the mother bird. It echoes the picture of the Ark of the Covenant, with the outstretched wings of the cherubim over the mercy seat.

There, in the shadow of the wings, is the presence of God.

David is saying that living under the love of God is like dwelling in the shadow of His presence. And in this place, verse 8 reminds us, we are refreshed. The contrast is striking: the refreshing rest of God’s presence versus the restless nights of the wicked in verse 4, who lie awake plotting.

It is in this place of divine presence — this rest that comes from Yahweh — that we meet with God, the fountain or source of life. It is here, in His presence, that we find the true light by which we can truly see.

 

Step 4 — V 10–11: Crying Out for Protection

Now, because of God’s steadfast love, David takes us further on this journey. Because of His amazing, unfailing love, we can cry out to the Lord for His protection:

“May the foot of the proud not come against me.”

We live in a duality: able to come into the presence of the Lord, yet at the same time walking in a broken world. David reminds us both to seek the Lord and to seek His blessing and protection at the same time.

 

Step 5 — V12: The Fate of the Wicked

What about the wicked? Remember how David described those at the beginning — those who chose not to walk with God but opposed Him? He described them in detail but left them without comment.

Now we come to the conclusion.

Having described the blessing of Yahweh, His incredible love, and the joy of living in His presence, we now see the contrast. Those who do not love God, who do not live in His blessing — what happens?

Verse 12 tells us: “See how the evildoers lie fallen — thrown down, unable to rise.”

When we live under the shadow of God’s blessing, we know His presence and the outpouring of His love, and it is this love that sustains us. But when we choose to rebel against God, His presence is not with us, His blessing is not upon us, and we stand on our own. When we fall, there is no one there to rescue us.

As We Reflect on This Psalm Let us remind ourselves again of the unfailing, steadfast love of the Lord that reaches to the heavens. Let us learn to dwell within the shadow of His wings.

Photo by Ravi Sharma on Unsplash