Christianity

Psalms 36The Fountain of Life

Summary

Psalm 36 sets the inner life of the wicked, who has no fear of God and plots mischief on his bed, against the vastness of God's lovingkindness, which reaches to the heavens and shelters all who take refuge under God's wings. The psalmist celebrates the feast of God's house and the river of his pleasures, declaring that with God is the fountain of life and in his light we see light. It is ascribed to David, servant of the LORD.

Key verse

“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”

Psalms 36:9

Themes

Steadfast Love
Light
Refuge
Nature of Wickedness

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

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

He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

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

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Islam
Surah An-Noor (24): Light upon Light
Quran 24:35 describes God as the Light of the heavens and the earth, light upon light, guiding whom he wills. Both texts use light as an image of God's presence and guidance.
Judaism
Tehillim 36 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
Its verses beginning How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! are recited in many Jewish communities when putting on the tallit in the morning.

Questions about Psalms 36

What does in thy light shall we see light mean?

Psalm 36:9 teaches that knowledge and life come from God's own light. The Latin form appears as a university motto.

Why does Psalm 36 call David the servant of the LORD?

The same title heads Psalm 18. It honors David as one devoted to serving God, a title also given to Moses.