What does Psalm 36:10 mean?
The Hebrew word hesed is rendered as "steadfast love" or "lovingkindness." The term implies things like loyalty, mercy, favor, and goodness. The word is among the primary descriptions of God's loving nature as seen in the Old Testament (Exodus 34:6¬–7; 1 Kings 8:23; Psalm 36:5; 136). David prays that God will continue to show this gracious care for those who honor the Lord. Those who are "upright of heart" are a contrast to those who reject God and pursue what is evil (Proverbs 10:9; 21:8).It is entirely by grace that anyone can know the Lord. Jeremiah 31:34 indicates that someday the Lord will put His law in the hearts of the people of Israel and save them. He prophesies: "And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD."
Jesus draws a distinction between those who are of the world and His followers. He says the world will hate His followers and will persecute them. He explains, "But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me" (John 15:21). It is one thing to know about the Lord but an entirely different matter to know Him personally. Those who know Him enjoy His love and receive His righteousness (Ephesians 1:3–14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 3:1).
