The Depth Of The Most High

“Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.” Psalm 36:6

The human mind is not capable of understanding the magnitude of God.  It can only draw pictures or compare Him to those things that are visible.  What better way is there for simple man to visualize GOD’s righteousness than to compare it to the greatest, most high mountain? “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains”

The depth of GOD’s judgement is here visualized in comparing it to the depth of the great oceans. A place where man has not seen the deepest part. The depth is to deep for us to understand. “thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD”

We stand in awe of His majesty and love.  Our only expression is limited to, “O LORD”! We are completely overwhelmed by HIS most excellent glory. GOD is, “I AM that I AM”, the All Sufficient, complete in every respect! “O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.”

I saw a great mountain 

It stood tall and great.

But to compare it to GOD

Is a great mistake.

Even the depth of the ocean

Can not express.

The glory of GOD

It’s so much less.

GOD’s righteousness pure

To the highest degree.

His judgments are deeper

Than the deepest sea.

“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” Hebrews 1:3

The Repository For Mercy and Grace

“Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.” Psalm 36:5

What is the value of the mercy of GOD?

And to what can His grace be compared? 

More precious they are than diamonds or gold,

Or the ponds still water and early morning dew.

GOD pours upon the earth these most precious gifts.

For man to bathe in their peace.

They overflow the mountains and hills

They cover the prairies flat lands.

When there is no more room here below,

He brings them above filling every cloud in the sky.

And still there is not enough room to store, mercy and grace.

How amazing it is to think, it is all for you and me!

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” Psalm 103:10-13

Plotting and Planning

“He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.” Psalm 36:4

When we lay in bed unable to sleep what we are thinking declares what our character is.  What is on our mind is a picture of who we are.  This verse describes the wicked mind because, “He deviseth mischief upon his bed”.

He is captivated with thoughts of destruction. He has thoughts of harm for others with his own self interests in mind. He has a conniving heart that causes him much joy.  He lays awake plotting and planing his wrongful ways. “he setteth himself in a way that is not good”

This person is not controlled by morality.  He is not interested in self-discipline for the sake of others. It’s all about him, no one else matters. He is not conscience of evil at all.  Nothing matters to him accept the completion of his wicked doings. “he abhorreth not evil.” 

He plots and he plans as he lays awake

In a bed where sleep can’t be found.

Thinking of ways he can cause harm

With a mind like that of a hound.

He won’t give up he stays on track.

Mediating on his hot pursuit.

Thinking of ways he will succeed 

And of the harm he wants to impute. 

The Apostle Paul writes concerning what should be on the mind of the believer.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Don’t Be a Potty Mouth

“The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.”
Psalm 36:3

Just how important are the words we use? What we speak reflects what is in our hearts.  This being the case when we use ungodly words it tells us two things. One, we are as lost as a goose and could care less what others think or two we are living a life that is out of the will of the LORD, grieving the HOLY SPIRIT and causing the lost to suffer because of our ungodly actions. “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit”

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

“The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit,.... Not only sinful, but sin itself; his mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, of filthy and unchaste words, of corrupt communication, lying, deceit, and flattery; out of the abundance of the wickedness of his heart his mouth speaketh; and which shows the badness of it, and proves all that is said before of him;” 

How sad it is when those that have tasted the grace of GOD to use the lower levels of the world to express themselves. When we forget GOD and what He expects of us we become no good for Him or for those He gave His life for. “he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.”

What we say will have a result

For the good or for the bad.

We must choose words that lift up

Instead of ones that are sad.

Choose words well and you will see

The effects on others they have.

Not pouring salt into wounds

But words that act like salve.

“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37

Don’t Deceive Yourself

“For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.” Psalm 36:2

The first step in coming to CHRIST is to comprehend what we are.  To understand within ourselves there is nothing good directs us to the only One that is.  The Word of GOD is full of stories of men and women who were failures.  When these men and women realized their success depended on GOD and not themselves, they became the wonderful success stories we all love and want to be like.  

Some start off great by placing their lives in the hands of the LORD but later become puffed up in what GOD has made them, thinking they have become successful on their own. “For he flattereth himself in his own eyes”

When a believer gets into this state of delusion they begin to justify their own sin, thinking they are above it.  They are out of control and completely oblivious of their need of GOD or of the help of others that would guide them into the right direction.  What a terrible state of mind this is!  Instead of being the servant GOD has called them to be thy have become the tool of the devil. “until his iniquity be found to be hateful.”

There is a foolishness we all face

That can blind us of the facts.

When we are absorbed in ourselves,

Our morals become relaxed.

Thinking to high of what we are

Will only make us a fool.

When we leave CHRIST out of our lives,

We will become the devils tool.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

A Stupid Fool

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” Psalm36:1

It is hard to understand why folks deny GOD and have no respect for Him. In order to have an understanding of this I must bring ourselves back to our own past and unveil the wickedness of own own hearts. I had a heart that was deceived into thinking it was above reproach. It was a heart that was content with itself whose authority was its own. “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart”

Because the heart of the wicked is in control of itself it has no fear of GOD and makes itself a fool. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1a) The heart of the fool fears not GOD because it denies His presence.  These are blind fools who are unable to see the existence of GOD even in His creation.  They believe the creature rather than the Creator. “there is no fear of God before his eyes.”

They sit like bull frogs

On a leaf in the pond.

Croaking of their strength

All the day long.

Thinking themselves powerful,

Making them fools.

When trusting in self,

The fools will lose.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” Romans 1:18-23

Diamonds and Gold

“And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.” Psalm 35:28

One that has tasted the Glory of GOD through His grace can not help but speak of His loving kindness.  Even those He told not to say anything could’t keep quite about it (Mark 7:36).  Better than diamonds and better than gold are the blessings of the LORD.  Precious are the feet of those that bring and speak of the wonders of the LORD. “And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness”

May it not be said that I have kept silent concerning the things of my GOD!  May my mouth overflow with the declaration of His goodness and the testimony of my life declare His righteousness.  Let my objective be to publish all the things of the ALMIGHTY continually. “praise all the day long.”

They told me I spoke to much

About the things GOD has done.

Why not talk about other things,

Like the diamonds and gold you’ve won?

Oh, but listen to me my friends

They can’t begin to compare.

All of them will vanish,

But my JESUS will always be there.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Isaiah 52:7

To GOD Be The Glory

“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” Psalm 35:27

There is much heartache when false accusations comes from those that would destroy us but there is great joy when we are proven righteous in our affairs. Thank GOD for those that stand by the godly and turn not to the way of the wicked who would cover there own discrepancies by condemning another. “Let them shout for joy, and be glad”

It is easy to be persuaded by false reports that tickle the ears but the righteous will judge a righteous judgment remembering that love covers a multitude of sin.  “that favour my righteous cause”

True righteousness comes only through CHRIST and Him alone.  Our righteousness is “filthy as rags”.  We only become righteous when we trust JESUS but in the flesh we are wretched in our ways.  Justification is through CHRIST! “Let the LORD be magnified”

When we walk in the way of the LORD, He is pleased and success is sure to follow.  The importance of living a life that honors the LORD is the guarantee of His partnership in all our affairs on earth. “which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

Vindication is sweeter than honey.

The joy it brings is very great.

When you’re walk is with the LORD JESUS.

Joy becomes your everlasting state!

When others try to condemn you.

Do not worry CHRIST is there.

When you place your trust in Him.

You’re completely under His care!

“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?” Luke 18:7

GOD is More than a Multitude

“Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.” Psalm 35:26

Having one person against you is hard enough but when the one becomes many, heartache is multiplied.  Hearing their assault is like hearing the cry of the coyote trying to trick its prey.   

Understand the many will never compare to the One that hears the voice of His children.  GOD is more than a multitude!  The vicious outpour you hear He hears also and He won’t hold them guiltless.  

David doesn’t ask that GOD would kill them with a terrible death but asks that they would, “be ashamed and brought to confusion”.  Ashamed in that they could understand their disgusting state and confusion in that they are unable to continue.

David asks that their shame be overwhelming.  So apparent to themselves and others that it is as if they are dressed with it. “let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.”

There may be many against you,

And you seem all alone.

But GOD is more than a multitude,

And your enemies He’ll dethrone. 

May they be filled with shame.

May they understand their sin.

May they repent of their wickedness,

And through JESUS, peace win.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

I’m Letting GOD Know

“Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.” Psalm 35:26

It is wrong to take action on our own against those that torment us, but it is wise to turn them over to the LORD.  HE is able to bring them to their defeat. “Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt:”

We bring to the LORD our inner most feelings. Feelings that are deep in our soul.  They captivate our heart and release is needed.  Allow GOD to respond to your petition and relief will come.  Leaving GOD out of the equation will only make things more complicated. “let them be clothed with shame and dishonour”

The enemies purpose is to make you as uncomfortable as they can.  With every opportunity you allow them they will take advantage of it and cause more havoc in your live! “that magnify themselves against me.”

I might be hurt

but I’m not dumb.

I know from where 

My help comes from.

If I try to fight this

All on my own,

Leaving out GOD

I’ll be overthrown.  

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD” 2 Chronicles 20:17a  

Wicked Thoughts of the Heart

“Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.” Psalm 35:25

The picture here is not the outward expression of the words of hate but the thoughts of an evil mind against us.  Those words in the inner man that express the joy of an others defeat. David is asking the LORD not to give them the satisfaction of his defeat in their hearts. “Let them not say in their hearts”

Don’t allow those that have devised false reports to say in their hearts, ‘I knew it, we were right all along’ and have the inner joy because of it. Don’t allow them to have the false attitude of self-righteousness. “Ah, so would we have it”

We may lose some battles but we won’t lose the war.  Our victory is in CHRIST JESUS Who keeps His promise never to leave or forsake.  He is “the victory that overcomes the world”.  A battle lost can be devastating to us but let us say to the world, in the end we will not be defeated, the final victory is ours. LORD please don’t let them have the slightest thought that they have swallowed us up and finished us.“let them not say, We have swallowed him up.”

The thoughts of an evil man 

Are the viper of the snake.

Twisting truth and mocking you

They are hard for us to take.

The serpent’s bite will not hold on

To the one that trusts the LORD.

The thoughts of the wicked one

Will collapse and be ignored.  

“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10

Here Comes THE JUDGE

“Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.” Psalm 35:24

Asking GOD to judge me is a mind boggling thought.  Especially if I’m going on my own merit.  However if I’m trusting the righteousness of CHRIST in my stead, I am perfectly content with the statement.“Judge me, O LORD my God”

Being in the will of GOD is what keeps the believer on the sure road to happiness.  Even though the believer is kept by the righteousness of the SON we are judged by GOD concerning the things we occupy ourselves with in our present state.  Making sure we are doing what GOD expects of us is of the greatest importance.  When we are in the will of GOD we can say as David did, “Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness”

Giving the LORD the final say on judgment assures us of perfect peace.  Taking things into our own hands brings swift defeat.  GOD only judges a righteous judgement and leaving it to Him instead of ourselves stops the mouths of fools. “let them not rejoice over me.”

My mind says judge.

My heart says no.

I want vengeance, 

But to GOD I’ll go.

I’ll let Him judge

And I’ll keep still.

I’ll do my part

And stay in His will!

“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8

GOD Does

“Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.” Psalm 35:23

My paraphrase of what David is saying, ‘Please my GOD shake yourself out of sleep and awake to my need’.   GOD of course never sleeps or even takes a nap.  “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4).  The fact is David is stirring  himself up in his appeal. As believers we “live by faith” knowing the LORD will always accomplish what He has already promised. “Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment”

There are times when things are so trying on us it is hard to think anyone can see what we are going through, we feel all alone and forgotten.  We feel no one understands the gravity of the situation we are in, but GOD does!  If you are one of HIS, HE always does.  “even unto my cause”

While reading this verse it made apparent of the personal relationship David has with his GOD.  He makes it adamantly clear his appeal is to his GOD and his LORD!  The privilege of answered prayer from the GOD of GLORY only comes to those that have a personal relationship with HIM.  He doesn’t hear fake believers.  David says GOD is his GOD, I say because I have placed my trust in CHRIST, His shed blood for me and believe He has risen from the dead, by my faith in HIM, HE is MY GOD!  Is HE your GOD? “my God and my Lord.”

There is never a doubt GOD will answer.

This is never a worry of mine.

I know He hears what I’m asking.

His answer is a matter of time.

Now GOD has no time to stall Him.

He understands all of our fears.

While we think it takes forever.

GOD answers as soon as He hears.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

In the Comfort of His Arms

“This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.” Psalm 35:22

There is nothing that goes on that the LORD doesn’t know about.  He is the Creator of everything, He is omniscient. The affairs of His creation are constantly before Him, and this means you.  “Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand:” (Psalm 10:14a). “This thou hast seen, O LORD”

It is the desire of the child of GOD to hear the voice of GOD especially when they are in distress.  We see GOD’s voice in the action He takes on our behalf. This action revives the heart and keeps us in the comfort of His arms. “keep not silence: O LORD” 

The distance between the LORD and the child of GOD is impossible to calculate.  The child of GOD is constantly in His presence.  “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17). Our sin can keep our fellowship from being what it should be, but the believer will never escape the presence of the LORD! “be not far from me.”

I’m in Your presence at all times,

Even when the sorrows of life prevail.

I can’t escape Your love that is before me.

Even when in my sin I fail.

I’m so thankful I have a GOD that loves me.

No matter what the hard times bring.

His promise is, “never to leave me”

And for this shall my heart sing.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

Large Mouths with Small Brains

“Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.” Psalm 35:21

Let's look at those that bring false accusations against GOD’s people. They have large mouths with small brains. They stand on roof tops with their mouths opened wider than thought possible broadcasting hateful untruths against the children of GOD.  Their hateful obscenities tear at the hearts of those whose only purpose is to bring them the peace of GOD! “Yea, they opened their mouth wide”

Even though it hurts, it’s always easier when these serpents of satan are attacking someone else but when it is you, how do you react?  Do you fire back with the same intensity as they do?  Do you put on the same face of hate or is your heart brought to the higher plain of love?  These poor fools have no idea of what the peace of GOD is and it takes someone who is able to put themselves to the side and show them the love of JESUS.  If you are a believer, that’s you. “against me”

They claim to be eye witnesses to their declaration of defamation hoping it will bring credence to their slander.  They poke fun and give eye service to the target of their hate. In the end their words will be voided by CHRIST, who has promised “never to leave or forsake”. “Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.”

When attacked by those that falsely accuse.

It can make you feel so empty.

But I’ll turn to the SAVIOR whom I love

And won’t allow them to tempt me.

After all it’s for the souls of men 

that JESUS lived and died for.

I’ll forget their hate and give them love,

And let JESUS settle the score.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

The Prince of Peace

“For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.” Psalm 35:20 

The opposite of a “peace maker” is a “trouble maker” and unfortunately there are more “trouble makers” that there are “peace makers”.  You will never find a “peace maker” that doesn’t have “trouble makers” close around them. “For they speak not peace:”

“Trouble makers” are driven by hate while “peacemakers” are driven by love. The words of the “trouble maker” mock the words of the “peace maker”.  The “trouble maker” continually makes plans to cause the “peace maker” trouble and if the “peace maker” isn’t careful they will fall into the pit the “trouble maker” has prepared for them. “but they devise deceitful matters against them”

The “trouble maker” has the ability to change a once tranquil state into a state of unrest and confusion but the “peace maker” that stays close to the “Prince of Peace” will stop the mouths of fools and make pleasant the place they dwell. “that are quiet in the land.”

The best answer 

For the fools rash words.

Is to use sweet speech

Instead of harsh verbs.

You’ll never win them

If you retweet.

Just give them JESUS

And make them sweet.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

When Taunts Come

“Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.” Psalm 35:19 

It is hard to find anything that causes more pain than the pain of someone unjustifiably rejoicing over you, especially when the situation you are in is for a good cause.  The heart grows faint, your spirit falls into a state you don’t want to be in and unless you give it to GOD you will remain defeated. “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me:”

While tools of destruction can kill the body, the satisfied look of the opposition can kill the spirit.  It is as if your bitter circumstance brings them joy, a gleeful joy that tears at the soul. “neither let them wink with the eye”

In David’s case he was trying to do good to those that opposed him and when he hit a pitfall or was slandered, they took great pleasure in it.  Don’t be surprised when it happens to you, because it will.  Remember it was the very ones David loved and cared for that were the culprits. This is why it cuts so deep to the soul. “that hate me without a cause.”

My heart feels faint, I was in pain.

Their rejoicing hurt me so.

But listen, my dear friend.

JESUS is the only place to go.

He’ll take the pain and wipe it away.

He’ll grant you grace and peace.

He’ll remove the tear from your cheek,

And all your pain will cease.

“But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” 2 Chronicles 36:16

Be a Big Mouth

“I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.” Psalm 35:18

David isn’t trying to make a deal with the LORD.  He was confident GOD was going to rescue him from his trial and is anticipating his response for it.  I don’t believe David doubted for a moment that  GOD wasn’t going to come to his aid.  This is what made him “a man after GOD’s own heart.” “I will give thee thanks”

His praise for GOD’s goodness will be brought before “the great congregation”, to all the people of GOD, that all might be renewed in their hearts by the mercies of GOD.

He will take his declaration to all the people of the world, that all might hear of the wonderful grace of GOD and desire the LORD for themselves. “I will praise thee among much people.”

I have been asked, why I keep speaking of GOD’ grace.

My answer to you is, I must share Christ's embrace.

He loved me when I was unlovable, to all.

My future was bleak, I had no hope at all.

I was corrupted with sin, amoral and sad.

He died for me, and I had nothing to add.

So my words must keep flowing of Christ’s marvelous grace.

For now and forever, through eternity and space.

Thank you JESUS!

“Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” Luke 8:39