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Psalm 36:1-4

Psalm 36:1¹ An inspired message within my heart concerning the rebellion of the wicked person: Dread of God has no effect on him

Psalm 36:2 because with his smooth opinion of himself, he cannot find and hate his violation.

Psalm 36:3 The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting with insight and doing good.

Psalm 36:4 Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. He sets himself on a road that is not good, and he does not reject evil.

wrong road

Last year when we were hiking the Appalachian Trail, we were joined by a friend. She and another of her friends were just behind us, as we aimed ourselves in the direction of the next shelter on the trail. When my wife and I got to the shelter, we waited a while and one of the two ladies showed up. But we waited a long time and our other friend did not show up. My wife joined our other friend and retraced their steps, but they could not find her.

Our friend had stopped to rest, and when she got back on the trail, had taken it back in the direction in which she had come. By the time she realized her mistake, it was too late to catch up with us.

Today’s text reminded me of that event. It talks about someone caught in rebellion, who only thinks about staying on the path they chose, even though it is the wrong road.

Lord, when we make the wrong choice, give us the wisdom to turn around and get going back in the right direction again.

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¹superscription: Of David, Yahveh’ s servant.