Psalm 36

Read Psalm 36 ESV

Who - David writes a choir song to be sung to the LORD.  

What - David writes this song as a corporate choir song to be sung at some event.  It is a song describing the goodness of the LORD’s steadfast love and a request that the LORD deliver his people from evil doers.  

When - No specific event is mentioned.  It is general enough to be at many times in David’s life.

Where - Unstated

Why - As this is written as a choir song, it seems David is wanting the people to remember the errors of the wicked and the blessings of the LORD’s steadfast love to the righteous.  Then David requests that the LORD preserve them.

How - David begins by pointing out the arrogance of the wicked man.  The wicked man does not believe God sees or cares about his wicked deeds.  Because he does not fear God, he plans his evil actions.  Then David contrasts this evil man with the steadfast love and justice of the LORD.  It is the LORD who saves man and animal (presumably from the evil man).  David tells us the LORD’s steadfast love is a place of refuge for the righteous.  The LORD is a fountain of life and light.  Now David, and those singing, ask God to protect and keep His people from arrogant hearts.  David also asked the LORD to deliver and protect His people from the attacks of the evil ones.  David ends with a request that the LORD act against the wicked and thrust them down, permanently disabling them.  

So What 

1. The LORD’s steadfast love is good and will save us.  In this life many times the LORD saves us through His steadfast love (even if we don’t realize it).  It is this same steadfast love that eternally saves us through Christ Jesus.  
2. It shows our hubris when think we can plot wicked plans and get away with them.  To do so ensures our destruction.  Yet it is easy to fall into this trap when our heart is driven by sinful attitudes and desires.  Guard your heart!  
3. We don't need to worry over evil men and their plots.  God will deal with them.  We may need to resist them, but God will deal with them.  
4. Jesus is the fountain of life and light David describes in verse 9.  (John 4 and 8)  Everything David describes here, we can hope for as believers in Christ and will be fulfilled in us through Christ.