For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Read it in contextA Psalm of David: The Wicked and God's Goodness
Start reading at Psalms 36:1 (Psalms 36:1 to Psalms 36:12).
The entire Psalm 36 forms a cohesive literary unit, contrasting the wicked with God's character and concluding with a prayer.
36:1The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
36:2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
36:3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
36:4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
36:5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
36:6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
36:7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
36:8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
36:9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
36:10O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
36:11Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
36:12There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 36:1–36:12): The psalmist describes the wicked to hearers, then addresses the LORD concerning His lovingkindness and protection. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the contrast between the depravity of the wicked and the glorious, life-giving character of God, who is the source of all life and light.
What is God revealing? God is revealing Himself as the ultimate 'fountain of life' and the source of all spiritual 'light.' He is also revealed as merciful, faithful, righteous, and the preserver of all creation, offering abundant satisfaction to those who trust in Him.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, characteristic of worship literature, employing vivid imagery, parallelism, and contrast.
When
When was it written? As a Psalm of David, it was written during David's lifetime, which falls within the broader period of c. 1400 to 450 B.C. when the Psalms were collected. book background
When does the event take place? The psalm describes timeless truths about God's character and the human condition, rather than a specific historical event.
Where
Where did it happen? The psalm speaks of universal spiritual truths and God's presence, not a specific geographical event.
Where was the author located? The author, David, was located in Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in A Psalm of David: The Wicked and God's Goodness (Psalms 36:1 to Psalms 36:12).
Start reading at Psalms 36:1. The entire Psalm 36 forms a cohesive literary unit, contrasting the wicked with God's character and concluding with a prayer.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 36:9 serves as the theological bedrock for the preceding description of God's excellent character (vv. 5-8) and the subsequent prayer for His continued lovingkindness (vv. 10-11). It explains *why* God is the source of mercy, faithfulness, and satisfaction: because He is the very origin of life and light, contrasting sharply with the darkness and evil of the wicked described in verses 1-4. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This verse points to Christ as the embodiment of the 'fountain of life' and the source of 'light.' Jesus declared Himself to be the 'light of the world' (John 8:12) and offered 'living water' (John 4:10, 14; John 7:37-38), directly fulfilling the imagery of God as the source of life and light. Through Him, we 'see light' and receive eternal life. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today can find profound security and satisfaction in God, trusting in His unfailing character as the source of all life and truth. We are called to walk in His light, seeking wisdom and understanding from Him, and to draw from Him as the ultimate source of spiritual life, rather than pursuing the fleeting pleasures or deceptive ways of the world. interpretation
Cited: Psalms 36:1, Psalms 36:9, John 4:10, John 4:14, John 7:37, John 7:38, John 8:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 36
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee;…”
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.