Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

PSALM 36: THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE Mankind Under Sin, Mankind Under Grace

This psalm is quoted in the Book of Romans to show that all people are living under the power of sin until they meet Christ and come under the power of grace. The first 4 verses of this psalm explain the life of a person living under the domination of sin while the next 5 verses celebrate the components of God’s un-searchable love for mankind. The last 3 verses are prayers to favor those who love God over those who reject him.

I. MANKIND UNDER SIN - 1-4 II. MANKIND UNDER GRACE - 5-9 III. MANKIND MAKES A CHOICE - 10-12

INTRODUCTION : (See Psalm 18)

“ For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.”

I. MANKIND UNDER SIN - 1-4

“ Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.”(1)

Sin first of all whispers, it is not an obvious intruder. It is a tempter drawing a person into ever-deep- ening levels of evil. This verse is reminiscent of the power of sin that drew Cain until he murdered his brother Abel. God tells Cain: “ You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it.” (Gen. 4:7) Paul quotes the first verse of this psalm in his Roman letter to show that whether you are a Jew or Gentile, you need grace to free you from sin. “ Well then, are we Jews better than others! No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people…are under the power of sin.”(Rom. 3:9, 18)

Seven Characteristics of Sin/Wickedness 1-4

1. In their hearts- “ …deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them.”(1) Sin begins in the heart of man and progresses through our entire being. Only a healthy respect for God will stop it.

2. In their eyes- “ In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.”(2) Sin plunges the soul into total spiritual darkness.

3. In their words- “ Everything they say is crooked and deceitful.” (3) The language of unbelief be- comes increasingly perverse.

4. In their actions- “ They refuse to act wisely or do what is good.”(3) Saul’s wicked and jealous heart drove him to unjustly pursue his son-in-law David.

5. In their imaginations- “ They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots.” (4) Paul speaks of the wicked in Romans: “ They are forever inventing new ways of sinning…”(Rom. 1:30)

6. In their decisions- “ Their course of action is never good.”(4)

7. In their lifestyle- “ They make no attempt to turn from evil.” (4) Paul describes the madness of the end of sin: “ They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway.” (Rom. 1:32)

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