There is a primary truth that separates good and evil. We see it throughout the pages of the Bible. And we see it in the Psalm for today’s mediation. Consider Psalm 36. Meditate on its words and see if you can see that truth.
“For the choir director. Of David, the Lord’s servant. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked person: Dread of God has no effect on him. For with his flattering opinion of himself, he does not discover and hate his iniquity. The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good. Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. He sets himself on a path that is not good, and he does not reject evil.
Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your judgments like the deepest sea. Lord, you preserve people and animals. How priceless your faithful love is, God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They are filled from the abundance of your house. You let them drink from your refreshing stream. For the wellspring of life is with you. By means of your light we see light.
Spread your faithful love over those who know you, and your righteousness over the upright in heart. Do not let the foot of the arrogant come near me or the hand of the wicked drive me away. There! The evildoers have fallen. They have been thrown down and cannot rise.” (Psalm 36, CSB)
Psalms 36 is a song with three stanzas. The first unfolds the way of evil. The second lifts up a hymn of praise to God. And the third verse offers a prayer of intercession and a decree concerning the evil person.
To return to our primary question. What is the difference between the evil and righteous people in this Psalm? I see that the evil person is self-focused, self-centered and will do anything to advance their plan. And the good person? They are focused on the goodness of God. They see his love, faithfulness, righteousness, judgments, preservation, protection, life, and light in the world around them and in God himself.
I see that same truth in the world today in so many ways. Sometimes it may seem that evil is winning as the arrogant grow bold. Many no longer fear God, and go so far as to taunt Him and revile God’s gift of life.
What solution does the Psalms provide to counter this evil? Pray for those that are faithful and upright of heart. Pray for God to lavish His love on them. Pray for God’s guidance to avoid the traps of the arrogant and evil. In this way, the evildoers will fall. You see, loving God and praising Him for all that was mentioned in the second stanza of the Psalm is more powerful than you can imagine.
In your meditations of this Psalm, consider these questions. Where do I act self-centered? Where am I arrogant and prideful? How can I cease complaining and begin to worship God all the more in the view of evil? How can I pray blessings on all those striving to live an upright and righteous life in Christ?
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