VIP Ministry Network

Psalm 36

Whose voice are you listening? We have multiple voices talking to us every moment. Our life, our happiness, and our actions are all depending on our decision which voice we follow. The psalmist clearly sees this phenomenon: Something appeals more to the wicked people and some other thing is more persuasive to the God-fearers.

“Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes. For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good. They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil.”

Those who love God, they can see the benefit of following God: “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord. 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.”

Is there a chance for the God-lovers to lose their taste for goodness? Is there any moment when the evil-doers experience the goodness of God? Yes, both are possible. When a healthy person gets sick, suddenly she does not have appetite. When we recover from the illness, we restore our desire for healthy foods. Psalmist prays to God that she can keep her health and appetite: “O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart! Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise.”

Bon appetite!