What The Covenant Love Of God Offers To All Who Respond To Him (Psalms 36:7-9).
We now turn from what God is to what He offers. Note the change from YHWH to God, even though the offering is still of His covenant love. His offer is universal, for it is to all ‘the children of men' (compare Ruth 2:12).
‘How precious is your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
They will be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house,
And you will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.
For with you is the fountain of life,
In your light shall we see light.'
Here is the alternative life of the people who respond to God instead of to ‘transgression'. As a result of His precious covenant love revealed towards them they:
· Take shelter under the shadow of His wings (compare Psalms 17:8; Psalms 57:1; Psalms 61:4; Psalms 91:4; Ruth 2:12). This is the privileged position to which Jesus calls His own. It was because they refused this that Jerusalem was destroyed (see Matthew 23:37-38; Luke 13:34).
· Are abundantly satisfied with the luxurious provision of His house (Psalms 23:5-6; Psalms 27:4; Psalms 65:4). They eat and drink at His table. Originally in mind is the sacrificial meal of which all YHWH's guests partake before Him (Leviticus 7:15-16; Deuteronomy 12:7; Jeremiah 31:14. And compare also Isaiah 55:1-2). Jesus expanded the idea to reflect the possibility of partaking of Him and enjoying the benefits that He offers (compare John 6:35; John 7:38; Luke 22:18; Luke 22:30; Matthew 22:2-4).
· Drink of the river of His pleasures (compare Psalms 16:11; Amos 5:24; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17). ‘Whoever will may drink of the water of life freely'.
· Enjoy partaking of the fountain or spring of life. ‘He who drinks of the water that I will give him, will never thirst, but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water, welling forth to eternal life' (John 4:10-14; John 7:37-38; Isaiah 41:18; Isaiah 44:3-4; Isaiah 49:10; Jeremiah 2:13; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Zechariah 13:1).
· Find light in His light. Compare ‘YHWH is my light' (Psalms 27:1). In mind here is probably the light of the glory of God which filled the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34), and which was considered to be behind the veil which hid the Most Holy Place from the eyes of the priests. The Psalmist may also have had in mind the seven-branched lampstand in the Tabernacle/Temple which continually burned (see Psalms 36:4), and which pictured the glory hidden behind the veil. This last was a perpetual reminder of the glory of God as it had been revealed in the pillar of fire which had led His people out of Egypt, and of the further glory of YHWH which had been revealed on Mount Sinai. Compare here Psalms 78:14, ‘In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.' Thus His light gave them the light of the assurance of His presence. This also ties in with Isaiah 60:1, ‘arise, shine, for your light is come, and the glory of YHWH is risen upon you.'
Furthermore it was from His light that His people obtained guidance, assurance and truth. ‘The entrance of Your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple' (Psalms 119:130). ‘Your word is a lamp to my way, and a light to my path' (Psalms 119:105). ‘He lightens the lampstand of His people and lightens their darkness' (Psalms 18:28). ‘They look to Him and are lightened, and their faces are thus not ashamed' (Psalms 34:5). ‘Oh send out your light and your truth, let them lead me' (Psalms 43:3). In His light they see light.
YHWH is also elsewhere compared by David with the glorious light of the noonday sun. ‘He will be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, a morning without clouds' (2 Samuel 23:4). But to the Psalmist YHWH outshines the sun, and His light shines on His people, revealing truth and making them righteous too. ‘He will make your righteousness go forth as the light, and your just dealings as the noonday' (Psalms 37:6). That is why Jesus could say, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven' (Matthew 5:16).
And we need not doubt that it includes the thought of the light of YHWH's favour. The Psalmists regularly speak of ‘the light of His countenance' as shining on His people (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 89:15; Psalms 90:8; compare Proverbs 16:15) as they enjoyed the favour of God.
For us the light shines even more clearly. Not for us the dim light of the Tabernacle lampstand, but the glorious light of Him Who is ‘the light of the world', Who gives the light of life to His own (John 8:12; John 12:35-36; John 12:46; John 1:4; John 1:9). ‘The Word was made flesh and dwelt among and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth' (John 1:14), so that we see ‘the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ' (2 Corinthians 4:6). As He said, ‘I am come a light into the world, so that whoever believes in me may not continue on in darkness' (John 12:46), ‘but will have the light of life' (John 8:12).