Psalm 36:8 kjv
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psalm 36:8 nkjv
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
Psalm 36:8 niv
They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
Psalm 36:8 esv
They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
Psalm 36:8 nlt
You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your river of delights.
Psalm 36 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 23:5 | You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. | God's overflowing provision. |
| Ps 23:6 | ...and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. | Dwelling in God's presence, His "house". |
| Ps 27:4 | One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life... | Desire to abide in God's dwelling. |
| Ps 65:4 | Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple! | Satisfaction from God's "house" and goodness. |
| Ps 84:10 | For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God... | Value of God's presence/dwelling. |
| Isa 49:10 | ...nor shall scorching wind or sun strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them; he will guide them by springs of water. | God leading His people to refreshing waters. |
| Isa 55:1 | Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! | Invitation to spiritual satisfaction without cost. |
| Jer 2:13 | for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters... | God as the source of living water contrasted. |
| Ezek 47:1,9 | ...behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east... everything will live where the river goes. | Prophetic vision of life-giving water from the Temple. |
| Joel 3:18 | ...all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord... | Messianic age: abundant water from God's house. |
| Jn 4:14 | ...whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again... | Jesus as the ultimate source of spiritual water. |
| Jn 7:37-39 | ...If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' | Christ offering spiritual rivers, fulfilled by the Holy Spirit. |
| Rev 21:6 | I will give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life without payment. | God provides water of life freely. |
| Rev 22:1-2 | Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb... | Heavenly river of life in the new creation. |
| Ps 16:11 | You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. | Fullness of joy and pleasures in God's presence. |
| Pro 3:17 | Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. | Wisdom's paths bring delight. |
| Ps 46:4 | There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. | River of joy for God's dwelling place. |
| Ps 17:15 | As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. | Deep satisfaction in seeing God. |
| Ps 73:25-26 | Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. | God as ultimate desire and satisfaction. |
| Mt 5:6 | "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." | Satisfaction for those seeking God's ways. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers as the spiritual "house" of God. |
| Ps 63:1 | O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. | Expressing a deep spiritual thirst for God. |
| Ps 87:7 | Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you." | All life's sources and delights are from God. |
| 1 Cor 10:4 | ...and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. | Spiritual drink provided by Christ. |
Psalm 36 verses
Psalm 36 8 Meaning
Psalm 36:8 conveys God's boundless provision and the deep, profound satisfaction found in His presence. It speaks of a lavish spiritual feast where those who take refuge in Him are fully nourished from the inexhaustible abundance found within His "house," and quenched with overflowing delight from His "river," a source of ultimate spiritual pleasure and life.
Psalm 36 8 Context
Psalm 36:8 comes after a stark contrast presented in the earlier verses (Ps 36:1-4), which describe the pervasive wickedness and deceit of humanity that has no fear of God. Immediately preceding verse 8, verses 5-7 beautifully depict the majestic nature of God's steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice, which extend beyond measure. Within this backdrop of divine goodness, verse 8 then illustrates the glorious benefits and spiritual blessings available to those who find refuge and trust in this awesome God, as mentioned in verse 7: "how precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings." The imagery shifts from humanity's deep depravity to God's abundant grace and the resulting delight for His devoted ones. The "house" primarily refers to the Tabernacle or later, the Temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's manifest presence among His people, a place of communion and provision.
Psalm 36 8 Word analysis
They drink their fill (יִרְוְיֻן – yirveyun, from רָוָה rawah): Literally means "they are thoroughly drenched," "they drink deeply," "they are satisfied to the full." It implies complete saturation and not merely sipping. This suggests a total and abundant fulfillment of all spiritual longings, indicating that God provides an overwhelming supply that goes beyond basic needs.
of the abundance (מִדֶּשֶׁן – mi-deshen, "from fatness" or "richness"): This Hebrew word signifies richness, fertility, stoutness, and abundance, often associated with rich sacrifice or bounty. In this context, it points to the opulent, deep, and satisfying spiritual provision found in God's dwelling, a contrast to spiritual scarcity or emptiness.
of your house (בֵיתֶךָ – beithekha, "your house"): This primarily refers to God's dwelling place, the Temple in Jerusalem, where His presence was uniquely manifested. Symbolically, it extends to God's presence, His heavenly abode, and by New Testament understanding, includes His spiritual family—the Church—and the new heavens and earth where God fully dwells with His people.
you give them drink (תַּשְׁקֵם – tashqem, from שָׁקָה shaqah): An active verb meaning "You cause them to drink," or "You water them." This emphasizes God as the benevolent and active provider of this profound refreshment, initiating and ensuring their satisfaction. It is a divine gift, not something earned.
from your river (מִנַּחַל – mi-naḥal, "from a torrent/stream/river"): A "naḥal" is often a wadi or a flowing stream, sometimes a perennial river. It denotes a continuous, powerful, and life-giving flow of water. Here, it symbolizes an unending, refreshing, and invigorating source of spiritual life and blessing from God Himself.
of delights (עֲדָנֶיךָ – 'adaneikha, "your delights/pleasures"): This crucial word is deeply connected to "Eden" (עֵדֶן), the Garden of Paradise. It implies ultimate joy, supreme pleasure, luxury, and spiritual abundance reminiscent of humanity's original, perfect relationship with God. It speaks of a profound, perfect, and unblemished happiness derived directly from God.
Words-group analysis:
- "They drink their fill of the abundance of your house": This phrase paints a picture of ultimate, abundant satisfaction. It is a rich feasting experience, emphasizing the luxurious and complete spiritual nourishment available exclusively in God's immediate presence. It conveys the concept of an overwhelming bounty that fully satisfies all longing.
- "you give them drink from your river of delights": This vividly illustrates the source of this satisfaction—a constant, overflowing, life-giving "river" that brings ultimate joy and spiritual refreshment. The "river of delights" alludes to the paradise of Eden, signifying not just pleasure but a restored, ideal state of being in God's presence, where everything good and satisfying flows from Him. It is God's personal and abundant provision of true bliss.
Psalm 36 8 Bonus section
The imagery in Psalm 36:8 serves as a strong counterpoint to the temporary, deceptive pleasures sought by the wicked mentioned earlier in the Psalm. While the ungodly are trapped in their self-made snares of sin, God's people are immersed in His overflowing, eternal good. This verse carries prophetic overtones, looking forward to the Messianic age and the New Covenant, where believers, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, partake directly in these "rivers of living water" (Jn 7:38). The "river of delights" (עֲדָנֶיךָ) is a direct lexical echo of the "river... of Eden" (נָהָר מֵעֵדֶן, Gen 2:10), portraying God's presence as a restoration of paradise, an anticipation of the ultimate consummation in the new heavens and new earth, where the "river of the water of life" flows from the throne of God (Rev 22:1). It highlights the gratuitous nature of God's blessing, emphasizing that He is the active Giver who satisfies.
Psalm 36 8 Commentary
Psalm 36:8 stands as a profound declaration of God's abundant grace and the unparalleled spiritual blessings He bestows upon those who take refuge in Him. Following the grim depiction of human wickedness, this verse highlights the striking contrast of divine provision. The "house of God" symbolizes the sanctuary of His presence, a place where immense spiritual nourishment and security are found. "Abundance" or "fatness" signifies a deep, rich, and overwhelming supply that satisfies completely, transcending any worldly sufficiency. Furthermore, the "river of delights," a captivating image linked to the very Garden of Eden, depicts a ceaseless flow of profound pleasure and joy originating from God Himself. This is not merely physical sustenance, but an overflowing stream of spiritual life, contentment, and bliss, freely given by God to His faithful. The verse underscores that true, deep, and eternal satisfaction comes solely from drawing near to the Lord and partaking of the boundless spiritual resources that only He can provide.