What does Psalm 36:8 mean?
There is nothing drab about God or His gifts. In Psalm 16:11 David writes: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." False approaches to spirituality, or worldly pleasure, can only produce temporary and shallow satisfaction (2 Peter 3:10–11; Mark 8:36. These are different from true joy and delight. Those gifts are found only in a right relationship with the true God (Romans 5:10–11).The river of God's delights is mentioned in Ezekiel 47. It provides life and refreshing to all it touches. The prior verse noted that God extends a measure of love and mercy to all people (Psalm 36:7; 145:18). The greatest of His gifts is the offer of salvation. Jesus promises in John 4:14: "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." This same idea is hinted at in the following verse (Psalm 36:9).
Priests were entitled to portions of sacrifices offered in the tabernacle (Leviticus 6:14–23; 7:14, 31–34; Deuteronomy 18:1–5). Rather than being given land, or other inheritance in Canaan, the priests were supported by the "abundance" of God's literal house (Deuteronomy 10:9).
