A Word from Psalm 36

One of my favorite worship songs is titled, “Your Love, O Lord.” And its lyrics happen to be based on today’s word from Psalm 36.

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens

Your faithfulness to the skies

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains

Your justice flows like the ocean’s tide

I will lift my voice to worship you, my King

I will find my strength in the shadow of your wings

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens

Your faithfulness to the skies

                (see Psalm 36:5-7)

Now, I don’t know about you. But that strikes me as a pretty encouraging reminder about the character of the God we serve. And hopefully, we’re moved to worship God just like this songwriter was! But it’s worth noting, I think, that if you read these words in their original context, they declare God’s character in the face of a world that refuses to honor God:

“I have a message from God in my heart

     concerning the sinfulness of the wicked,” the psalmist says.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Even on their beds they plot evil;

    they commit themselves to a sinful course

    and do not reject what is wrong.” (36:1, 4)

And as a result, I think this psalm offers a challenging question to us: Will we trust in and declare God’s faithfulness, righteousness, and justice even in a world where so many principalities and powers seem to be opposed to it?

And so today, let’s boldly sing, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens!” And may the Lord continue His love to those who know him” (see 36:10). Amen.