Ungodly and Wicked People: Psalm 36:1-4
“1) Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2) For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. 3) The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4) He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil.” Psalms 36:1-4
Psalm 36 paints a contrast between ungodly people and good character and nature of God. The first four verses drive home the point that something went terrible wring ungodly humanity who were originally created in the image of God.
These opening four verses define human depravity and the bent of the ungodly toward wickedness. According to these verses, transgression is personified. Sin takes on an evil nature of its own and tempts and drives people.
These verses remind me of the warning God gave Cain in Genesis 4:7; “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”” Sin is a terrible master. It will poison people.
David is using the same words in Psalm 36:1-4 to paint the inner bent toward evil that drives the ungodly. He is screaming that wicked people are totally given over to evil. This flies in the face of modern humanism that sees man as basically good with the potential of creating utopia on earth apart from God.
Paul painted a similar picture of human depravity in Ephesians 2:1-3. In verses 4-10, he concludes that God is the only hope for lost and sinful people. The format is very similar to the full flow of Psalm 36.
When these three texts are taken together, they explain how evil wicked people can become. It also explains the source of the hurts and pains in this fallen world.
Many critics of Christianity say; “If there is a God and He is so good and loving, how do you explain all the war, pain, violence and suffering in the world?” At first glance that looks like a good question.
Most of these critics are atheists or agnostics. My answer is simple; “If there is no God and mankind is the highest evolved moral creature, how do you explain all the war, pain, violence and suffering in the world?”
Suddenly, the problem becomes clear. Fallen human nature is the problem. There are wicked and evil people in the world! Many are totally bent on evil. They drive much in this fallen world. The hope of a purely humanistic utopia has become a nightmare.
But the remainder of Psalm 36 gives hope. The wickedness of fallen man does not tarnish the goodness, love and faithfulness of God. It is on Him David put his hope and trust. His plan of redemption for this lost world is the only hope for fallen humanity.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
“1) Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2) For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. 3) The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4) He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil.” Psalms 36:1-4
Psalm 36 paints a contrast between ungodly people and good character and nature of God. The first four verses drive home the point that something went terrible wring ungodly humanity who were originally created in the image of God.
These opening four verses define human depravity and the bent of the ungodly toward wickedness. According to these verses, transgression is personified. Sin takes on an evil nature of its own and tempts and drives people.
These verses remind me of the warning God gave Cain in Genesis 4:7; “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”” Sin is a terrible master. It will poison people.
David is using the same words in Psalm 36:1-4 to paint the inner bent toward evil that drives the ungodly. He is screaming that wicked people are totally given over to evil. This flies in the face of modern humanism that sees man as basically good with the potential of creating utopia on earth apart from God.
Paul painted a similar picture of human depravity in Ephesians 2:1-3. In verses 4-10, he concludes that God is the only hope for lost and sinful people. The format is very similar to the full flow of Psalm 36.
When these three texts are taken together, they explain how evil wicked people can become. It also explains the source of the hurts and pains in this fallen world.
Many critics of Christianity say; “If there is a God and He is so good and loving, how do you explain all the war, pain, violence and suffering in the world?” At first glance that looks like a good question.
Most of these critics are atheists or agnostics. My answer is simple; “If there is no God and mankind is the highest evolved moral creature, how do you explain all the war, pain, violence and suffering in the world?”
Suddenly, the problem becomes clear. Fallen human nature is the problem. There are wicked and evil people in the world! Many are totally bent on evil. They drive much in this fallen world. The hope of a purely humanistic utopia has become a nightmare.
But the remainder of Psalm 36 gives hope. The wickedness of fallen man does not tarnish the goodness, love and faithfulness of God. It is on Him David put his hope and trust. His plan of redemption for this lost world is the only hope for fallen humanity.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
