“Concerning the Transgression of the Wicked” (Ps 36)

“A saying within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: there is no fear of God before his eyes.” (vs1)

The problem with the wicked is that he doesn't fear God. Scripture says, “there is no fear of God before his eyes”. He is audacious in his unbelief and bold in challenging Almighty Power. He won't humble himself to be saved, but he rebels against God's mercy, challenges His holy law, and he denies God His rights as God. Man is foolish not to FEAR Him who sends the soul to hell. Our Lord said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28).

Secondly, there is a difference between the righteous and the wicked, for “he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not abhor evil” (vs1-4). Job, in righteousness, feared God and hated sin. It is said of him, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job [“Hated”]; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). He refused it, rejected it, and looked upon sin as disgusting, displeasing, and surely wrong. The wicked don't hate evil or shun it, but they live in it to the full as their only ambition.

Some are wicked in religion, others in licentious ungoverned lusts, but either way, he doesn't have faith and love.

On the other hand, however, God is good, faithful, and the life giving sustainer of all things (vs5-6). He says, “Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast”. Without Him, we'd have no life, no hope, and no truth; we wouldn't exist.

Finally, in the Lord Jesus our God, we see salvation and pleasures ever more (vs7-12). He says, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and you give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light”. In the gospel, we see glory, something to compel worship from our hearts, as God reveals forgiveness by the blood of Another, election unto salvation predetermined for us by God, and salvation performed in us by the revealing power of God the Spirit. 2 Cor 4:6 says, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. In the gospel light, we see a reason to live, have hope in eternity, and we know that we are reconciled to God eternally and fully. The gospel is the hope, the joy, and the peace of everyone who knows and sees God; it makes us reject the way of sin, even as you'd reject poison for nourishment and pain for peace. The Psalmist said, “Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in hearts. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away”.