Psalm 36 — Fountain of Life
Introduction: This study will briefly look at all of Psalm 36, with a special interest in the “fountain of life.” Considering the source, and the location, of that “fountain” will help us to appreciate the transformation the Lord produces within our hearts and minds. We who have received the gift of eternal life would still be among those rejecting the gift, except for the grace and mercy shown to us by our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.
NOTE: Bible passages are from the BBE (Bible in Basic English, 1965 edition).
A — The Transgression of the Wicked
Psalm 36 “1 The sin of the evil-doer says in his heart, There is no fear of the Lord before his eyes. 2 For he takes comfort in the thought that his sin will not be uncovered and hated. 3 In the words of his mouth are evil and deceit; he has given up being wise and doing good. 4 He gives thought to evil on his bed; he takes a way which is not good; he is not a hater of evil.”
Comments: As the rebellious person steps across the boundaries set by God, those very actions indicate there is no fear of God within his heart. Continuing in this pattern of life builds to the point of flattering of oneself, doing only what is right in one’s own eyes, until there is an actual hatred of the LORD that may be manifested as non-belief that God even exists. Since the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, such a person has ceased to be wise, showing disdain for the LORD, rather than for the sin that lies within his own heart. As the Lord Jesus said, “The good man, out of the good store of his heart, gives good things; and the evil man, out of his evil store, gives evil: for out of the full store of the heart come the words of the mouth.” (Luke 6:45 BBE). We might be prone to relate these verses only to others we believe are not children of God, but we should also examine ourselves to see if any of these characteristics may creep back into our own lives. The next verse from Moses illustrates what the Lord requires. “And now, Israel, what would the Lord your God have you do, but to go in the fear of the Lord your God, walking in all his ways and loving him and doing his pleasure with all your heart and all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 10:12 BBE). 1 John 4 “17 In this way love is made complete in us, so that we may be without fear on the day of judging. 18 There is no fear in love: true love has no room for fear, because where fear is, there is pain; and he who is not free from fear is not complete in love.”
B — The Lord’s Mercy and Faithfulness
Psalm 36 “5 Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and your strong purpose is as high as the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judging is like the great deep; O Lord, you give life to man and beast. 7 How good is your loving mercy, O God! the children of men take cover under the shade of your wings. 8 The delights of your house will be showered on them; you will give them drink from the river of your pleasures. 9 For with you is the fountain of life: in your light we will see light.”
Comments: Now that we know from the first four verses, the condition of men and the need of their souls, the psalmist moves on to glorify the Lord as he turns his attention to the Lord’s great provision through His unlimited love. It is the Lord’s mercy that is as expansive as the heavens, and the faithfulness of the Lord is so far above us as compared with reaching to the clouds. Our righteousness must come from the Lord whose righteousness is so enormous like unto a great mountain range, and whose judgments are deeper than anything we can fathom in our own minds. The lovingkindness of the LORD is so excellent that we can confidently place our trust under the shadow of his wings, which is a vivid picture of our utter dependence upon his superior strength for our safety. For with the LORD is the fountain of life; in His light shall we see the true light of understanding. “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, by which one may be turned from the nets of death.” (Proverbs 14:27 BBE). “But whoever takes the water I give him will never be in need of drink again; for the water I give him will become in him a fountain of eternal life.” (John 4:14 BBE). “For the Lamb who is on the high seat will be their keeper and their guide to fountains of living water: and God will make glad their eyes for ever.” (Revelation 7:17 BBE). “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him who gives ear, say, Come. And let him who is in need come; and let everyone desiring it take of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17 BBE).
C — The Lord Will Continue His Lovingkindness
Psalm 36 “10 O let there be no end to your loving mercy to those who have knowledge of you, or of your righteousness to the upright in heart. 11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, or the hand of the evil-doers put me out of my place. 12 There the workers of evil have come down: they have been made low, and will not be lifted up.”
Comments: The opening plea of this section is that there be no end to the Lord’s loving mercy to those who have knowledge of Him, or of His applied righteousness to the upright in heart. The footpath of pride and the active hand of ungodliness represent two dangers to the believer, but our confidence is in the righteousness imparted from the Lord, not our own. We should not be on guard to be “put out of our place” only by things emanating from sources outside of ourselves — it may be more difficult to resist our own temptations than various outside threats. But we have additional promises in scripture. “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7 BBE). “5 Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times. 6 The Lord is my helper; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6 BBE). And as Jesus said, “Have no fear of those who may put the body to death. You are of more value than a flock of sparrows.” (Luke 12:4–7 BBE). Though we are not immune from the evil deeds of those who reject the Lord, we are secure in His eternal love. They will be cast down, and their final condition will be far worse than any that we could suffer in this physical life.
Reflections in Prayer
My precious Savior, I need your strength to keep my heart staid on the unshakable truth of your love for me as your child. As I regularly spend time reading your Word, remind me often of that fountain of life that only you provide. That fountain is to be desired above anything the material world can offer to me. Help me to fear you my LORD God, to walk in all your ways, to love You, and to serve you LORD God with all my heart and with all my soul. I believe that you have chosen me through matchless grace to have that fountain of life welling up within, and I want to be part of your kingdom here at work in this present world as I wait to be abundantly satisfied with the bounty of your house, and to drink of the river of your pleasures throughout eternity. Amen.
Published 1 March 2010