Psalm 36:5-12 The Good News

Yesterday, we began our study of Psalm 36 by looking at the bad news: we are all desperately wicked. Today, we will end the week on a more positive note. The good news is that God’s love is infinite.

There is a Hebrew word that occurs three times in this psalm, verses 5, 7, and 10. It is sucha  complex word that the ESV translates it using multiple English words to express its meaning: “steadfast love.” Other translations use a compound word like “lovingkindness” (ASV, WEB), “faithful love” (CSB), “loyal love” (CEB, NET), “gracious love” (ISV), or “unfailing love” (NLT). The Amplified takes this use of compound words to an extreme by translating it “lovingkindness and graciousness.” While some versions simply say “mercy” (KJV, NKJV, NASB) or “love” (NIV, NCV). As you can tell, there is no consensus on the translation of this word.

That’s because the Hebrew word, hesed, describes everything good about the character of God. It describes God’s covenant nature towards His people, including His kindness, mercy, love, grace, and faithfulness. All of these aspects of God’s character are included in one simple word. And that word appears three times in Psalm 36.

Keep that in mind as you now read Psalm 36:5-12.

The way that God acts towards His people is so great, it “extends to the heavens,” even “to the clouds.” It is higher than the mountains, and deeper than the oceans. It is far greater than we could ever imagine. It is indescribable.

When we think about the bad news, the depths of our wickedness, we despair. How could anyone possibly love someone as wicked as me? Oh the poor soul who asks that question and never hears of the infinite love of God!

God’s love, and grace, and mercy, and faithfulness are beyond compare. He is willing to love murderers, adulterers, prostitutes, traitors, thieves, and liars, and that's just in the New Testament! He is willing to love all these wicked sinners, and He is willing to love me.

Now, I can join with David and call God’s love, not just great, but “precious.” This love is special to me. It provides refuge for me. I was deserving of death, but God saved me, and gives me an abundance of blessings.

How great is our God! He is the fountain of life, and the source of light. He is the infinitely loving, infinitely faithful, infinitely gracious, Almighty Savior of wicked people like me! I can rest assured, that if He has forgiven me of all my wickedness in the past, He will surely continue to show His steadfast love to me in the future. No arrogant person can oppress me; no wicked man can separate me from the love of God. The wicked may all perish, but I have been forgiven by God! I will rest in His steadfast love.