Because not many people are atheists, it can be difficult to understand what their minds think about. There can be many different motivations for them to choose to be atheists, but the psalmist tells us what they think about in Psalm 36.
Commentary:
Psalm 36:1-4. In these four verses, the psalmist describes the inner condition of a person who chooses to reject God in his life. Unlike a person is miserable because of sins and wants to stop sinning, the ungodly has sins looking for him and welcomes them. Since the ungodly despises God, he would invariably turn away from the ultimate good. Having no God to rely on or to follow after, he schemes and plans for his own good. He perpetuates the lie of atheism to comfort himself of not having to face eternal condemnation.
Psalm 36:5. As if sensing the ridiculous, awkward position of the ungodly, the psalmist spontaneously bursts into praise for the character of God. The Lord has immense lovingkindness and is tremendous faithful.
Psalm 36:7-8. God protects and provides.
Psalm 36:9. God is life. In Him, we find life. Eternal life is not obtained through some special diet or magic potion. It is through being connected with the Lord.
God is light, in Him there is no shadow (James 1:17). When we are in Him, we are in the light. We can see from our surrounding because of His light.
Psalm 36:11. The psalmist earnestly asks the Lord to protect his heart from becoming foolish like the ungodly. He poetically uses the phrase “foot of pride” and “hand of the wicked” to describe the temptation to lure him away from God.
Meditation:
Being an atheist is a choice. As they choose to reject God, God would let them have a depraved and let them be wrapped up in sins. Their fantasy of no eternity fools only themselves.
Choosing to follow God is a choice. But it is a good choice. Not only we are the light of the world and point people the way to God, we will also receive eternal life. God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness follow us wherever we go.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are faithful and you have the covenant love toward us. We ask that we be the light of the world and be renewed daily in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.