The dictionary defines the word servant as someone who is set apart and devoted to someone or something. Though we may believe that we are free, the fact is that we are all servants to that someone or something. Some serve themselves, while others serve those who exercise authority over them. Some serve their passions, and some serve their desires or their addictions, while still others serve their families or their friends. Some even serve their religion.

But in the Bible, in Romans Chapter 6, we are told that we are all servants of sin. We are all slaves of unrighteousness until we come to Jesus Christ for the salvation of our soul. We read in Galatians Chapter 6 that after we come to Christ, we become His bondservants. We are to serve Him.

In the title of Psalm 36, the psalmist David is called the servant of the Lord. In this Psalm he compares and contrasts those who are the servants of the enemy with those who are the servants of God.

David tells us that rebellion against God speaks to the ungodly, deep within his soul. Although he hears God’s voice, he measures what is right by his own standards of behavior and not by the standards of God, so he rejects what God has to say to him in His word. He does not want to be brought under the authority of his creator. He has no concern that he might be displeasing to the Lord.

Even though God sees everything that we do and He knows our every thought and desire, those who do not belong to the Lord live as if they are not accountable to Him. And so, an unrighteous attitude and behavior are the result of their rebellion, with no fear of the eternal consequences of their sin.

The psalmist tells us that the ungodly man is blind to the truth concerning himself. He doesn’t see that he is full of deception, full of lies, and that he has ceased to be wise. He doesn’t see himself for the way that he really is because he has no understanding. He has no desire to please God, so he ceases to do what is good before the Lord.

The ungodly man plans a course of action while he is lying down at night, so instead of rest and prayer, his bed becomes a place of poisonous intentions. And so he persistently sets himself upon a path that is against God. In his heart he does not reject evil, but instead he embraces it, thinking that his actions are justified.

In contrast to the wicked, the servant of God seeks to honor the Lord and lift up his voice in praise to Him. He sings praises of His lovingkindness and mercy, His unchanging love that extends to the heavens. He glories in His faithfulness that reaches to the skies. God never falters. He never fails.

The justice of the Lord is solid like the mountains. It is dependable and immovable. The winds of wickedness cannot alter the truth of His word. His judgements, how we are to live before Him, are like the great depths of the oceans. They are beyond our ability to fully comprehend, but by faith we trust in Him. He cares for all the creatures on this earth, even their very next breath.

His lovingkindness is more valuable than silver or gold. We take refuge in the shadow of His wings, where He protects us like a mother hen protects her young. Those who put their trust in Him will drink their fill and feast in the abundance of His house in the glory of heaven. He will give them to drink from the river of His delight. Like in the Garden of Eden, we will dwell in never ending joy in heaven. Being with the Lord is the fountain of life.

Let not the pride and arrogance from others or even from within ourselves come upon us, and let not the hand of the wicked drive us away from God. The doers of iniquity will fall to the ground because of their sin and never rise again. The defeat of those who have rejected the salvation that is found in Jesus Christ will be final. It will be fatal. While all those who trust in the Lord will rejoice with Him in the glory of heaven forever, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.