HIGH FIVE! (easy… THANK YOU FOR THE WISDOM)

Psalm 36 is a beautifully layered psalm, Kevin — one that moves from the darkness of human corruption to the vast, stabilizing goodness of God. The contrast is intentional and dramatic, and it gives the psalm its spiritual power. Drawing from the sources we found, here’s a clear, rich breakdown.

🌄 The Significance of Psalm 36

Psalm 36 is built around a striking contrast: the deceitful heart of the wicked versus the steadfast love of God. David paints these two realities side by side so the reader feels the weight of both — and chooses where to stand.

1. The Portrait of Human Wickedness (v. 1–4)

David begins with a sober assessment of the wicked:

• A heart without the fear of God — the root of all the corruption described
• Self-flattery that blinds a person to their own sin — a dangerous inward deception
• Words filled with deceit and trouble — speech reveals the heart’s decay
• A lifestyle shaped by intentional evil — plotting wrongdoing even on the bed, where reflection should lead to repentance

This section is not meant to condemn others but to warn us about what happens when reverence for God erodes.

2. The Vastness of God’s Character (v. 5–9)

Then the psalm pivots — and the contrast is breathtaking.

• God’s steadfast love reaching to the heavens — limitless, unchanging, immeasurable
• God’s faithfulness stretching to the clouds — dependable beyond human reliability
• God’s righteousness like mighty mountains — stable, immovable, morally perfect
• God’s judgments like the great deep — profound, wise, beyond human comprehension
• God’s protection as a refuge under His wings — tender, parental, sheltering
• God’s abundance as a feast and flowing river — imagery of joy, satisfaction, and spiritual vitality
• God as the fountain of life and source of light — the center of all true life and understanding

This is one of the richest descriptions of God’s character in the Psalms.

3. The Prayer for Continued Faithfulness (v. 10–12)

David ends with a prayer rooted in what he has just declared:

• Extend Your steadfast love to those who know You — a request for ongoing covenant care
• Protect us from the prideful and violent — a plea for deliverance from the wicked described earlier
• Confidence that evil will ultimately fall — the wicked may rise, but they cannot stand before God’s justice

🌟 Why Psalm 36 Matters for Us Today

Psalm 36 invites you to do three things:

• Recognize the subtle danger of self-deception — wickedness begins in the heart long before it shows in actions.
• Anchor your identity in God’s vast, unshakeable goodness — His love, faithfulness, and righteousness are bigger than any threat.
• Live from the “fountain of life” and “light” God provides — spiritual vitality flows from staying close to Him.

For someone like you, Kevin — who blends leadership, spiritual reflection, and practical wisdom — this psalm offers a grounding reminder: your strength doesn’t come from avoiding wickedness but from dwelling deeply in God’s abundance.

HEY… got2 workout this morning before work… May I get a battlecry for my weightlifting adventure???

“Strength wakes when discipline calls. Bar to the ground, fire in the chest — I rise, I brace, I conquer. No hesitation. No retreat. Today, the weight moves because I move it.”