Psalm 36:7-9 - The Fountain Of Life and Light.
Psalm 36:7-9 - The Fountain Of Life and Light.
Psalm 36:7-9 (NKJV) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your
wings. 8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. 9 For with
You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:7-9 (NLT) How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 8 You feed
them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from
your river of delights. 9 For you are the fountain of life, the light
by which we see.
Psalm 36:7-9 (TLB) How precious is your constant love, O God!
All humanity takes refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 You feed
them with blessings from your own table and let them drink from your
rivers of delight. 9 For you are the Fountain of life; our light is
from your light.
WORD STUDY
The fountain of life. Life literally and spiritually; life here
and hereafter. God is the source not only of life but of all that
gives life meaning (see Ps. 34:12; John 1:4; 4:10; 5:26; Ed 197, 198;
see on Prov. 9:11).
"Fountain of life" is a vivid image of fresh, cleansing water
that gives life to the spiritually thirsty. This same picture is used
in Jeremiah 2:13, where God is called the "fountain of living
water." Jesus spoke of himself as living water that could quench thirst
forever and give eternal life (John 4:14). [Life Application SB]
In thy light. As God is the source of light, only in Him can we
see light. Apart from God, all our understanding is only darkness.
Our prayer should be: "What in me is dark, illumine" (Milton). See
John 3:19, 20; 1 John 1:5-7; 1 Peter 2:9). [SDA Bible Commentary]
In His light shall we see light, until mind and heart and soul
are transformed into the image of His holiness. For those who thus
lay hold of the divine assurances of God's word, there are wonderful
possibilities. Before them lie vast fields of truth, vast resources of power.
Glorious things are to be revealed. Privileges and duties which they do
not even suspect to be in the Bible will be made manifest. All who
walk in the path of humble obedience, fulfilling His purpose, will
know more and more of the oracles of God. {MH 465}
COMMENTARY APPLICATION
It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. In
today's verses the psalmist uses just a few words to paint some dramatic
pictures. With a series of metaphors this psalm describes some of the many
blessings for believers because of God's character: His ever faithful,
ever loyal love is truly "out of this world" because it is so great
that it reaches beyond the clouds and heavens. The Lord's
righteousness is as steady as the highest mountains, and his judgments are as
deep as the ocean. But the metaphor that gives us the greatest
insight into the heart of God is in verse 7: we can find shelter in our
Lord just as baby chickens take refuge under the shelter of the
mother hen's wings. Because God loves us, his arms are open to us
today; all we have to do is run to him, and he will provide shelter and
protection.
Your Unfailing Love, LORD, is as vast as the heavens. Your
faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is as glorious as
the mighty mountain, and your justice is as deep as the deepest
ocean. Thank you for caring for people and animals alike with your
unfailing love. Thank you for the shelter that I find in the shadow of
your wings. I rejoice because your unfailing love is the most
precious thing to me! [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re. vv. 5-7]
God's love is measureless. It is more: it is boundless. It has
no bounds because it is not a thing but a facet of the essential
nature of God. His love is something he is, and because he is infinite,
that love can enfold the whole created world in itself and have room
for ten thousand times ten thousand worlds beside. A. W. Tozer
(1897-1963)
As I sat praying not long ago, the Lord impressed on my mind
a person who was very dear to me. I realized that even though at
that moment I couldn't draw that person to me for protection, the
Lord could--and would. The many times I feel unable to fix a
situation, I can trust that when I turn it over to God, it will be fixed.
We ask the Lord for many things: protection, good health, wisdom,
and strength. We ask these things for ourselves as well as for
others, and he provides. But I didn't always realize this.
For years I thought it was my duty to fix everything myself.
After all, that was part of my job as a mother. When my children were
young, I was the mom who did it all. Later, I poured my entire self
into a career as a buyer for a large retail organization. I traveled
extensively and often worked fifteen-hour days. I never asked the Lord to
help. Oh no, I could handle it.
Then one day the company to which I had given so much went
bankrupt. Without my job I didn't know who I was or what to do. I couldn't
fix it, so I turned to my heavenly Father. Even though I had shut
him out for so many years, he was still there. Now when I become
overwhelmed with concern for a person or a situation, I call on God's
unfailing love. I know he is always there, eager to provide for us.
Linda Campbell is a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and
woman of God. [The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional re v. 7]
God offers the only real life there is. When we give ourselves
to Him and walk in the light He provides us, in His Word and by His
Spirit, we begin to see more and more how we can enjoy life to the
fullest. [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley re. v. 7]
If your heart's lacking joy today, drink deeply from God's
promise (see Psalm 37:4). Just knowing that He holds our lives in the
palm of His hand is reason enough to rejoice--no matter what the day
might bring. Thank Him for His mercy and His everlasting goodness.
Nothing else in the world can bring joy into our lives like He can. [The
365 Daily Promise Bible By Barbour re v. 8]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
A Better Way to Live: http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Grace Notes: http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php
Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/
More Spiritual Resources: http://www.aBible.com
