Psalm 36 (35):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After the Psalmist addressed the health enjoyed by both humans and animals, he further remarked concerning the health that only the righteous can aspire to attain, saying, “The sons of men take refuge under the shadow of Your wings; they feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (cf. Ps. 35:8-9). This health, as mentioned in Colossians, pertains to the righteous, whom the Psalm refers to as the sons of men, while earlier it noted, "You preserve men and beasts, O Lord." What is the meaning of this? Are not all men included in the term sons of men? When he refers to men, followed by the phrase sons of men, does it not suggest that there is a distinction made? I believe the Holy Spirit intended to signal a distinction in terminology here. “Men” pertains to the first Adam, while “sons of men” refers to Christ. Indeed, the men are linked to the first man, whereas the sons of men belong to the Son of Man.

This meal is also anointed with sanctifying oil, which refreshes the heads of the righteous, invigorates the spirit, and nullifies the oil of the wicked (Psalm 140:5). At this banquet, there lies an intoxicating cup, described as strong (Psalm 22:5), or in the original Greek, κράτιστος, meaning 'mighty' or 'empowering.' This gift strengthens, as it purifies and absolves transgressions. What a blessed inebriation there is in this saving chalice! Yet there exists another form of intoxication—the intoxication stemming from the rich abundance of Scripture or from the descent of the Holy Spirit; thus in the Acts of the Apostles, those speaking in different tongues appeared to their listeners as if they were filled with new wine (Acts 2:4-13). The house symbolizes the Church, and the overflowing abundance signifies the grace we receive, while the stream of sweetness represents the Holy Spirit.

Do not be troubled by the name or characteristics of the stream, as it occasionally runs dry, and at times the waters may dwindle, and the waves may still. Our stream has ceased to flow; the once plentiful spiritual current within the Jewish nation has run dry. Why do I say the current has stopped? Even the sea has become desolate, as the Lord teaches us today: 'Behold, by my command I will make the sea desolate, and the rivers shall be desolate, and their fish shall wither away' (Isaiah 50:2)—especially the Jewish people, who have become parched due to their unfaithfulness, incapable of spiritual navigation. The stream ran dry due to the desecrations of the synagogue, as the people became barren in faith and unproductive in deeds, ensnared by sin. Should the stream flow for those who remain unrefreshed, who spoil the holy waters by rejecting the Source itself? The pure spring has ceased to nourish them while continuing to overflow for us, quenching the dryness and thirst of human captivity, akin to a stream driven by the south wind (Psalm 125:4). Therefore, Scripture invites us, Come, O wind, from the north, and bring from the south (Song of Solomon 4:16), a breeze sweeping through the heavenly realm.

The phrase "O God, Thy mercy hath multiplied" expresses astonishment; the Prophet conveys that this divine mercy is immense, and that the children of humanity place their hope in the abundance of His mercy. Previously, the Prophet spoke about God's mercy in a general sense, including those who are carnal, likening them to livestock; however, here he focuses on the mercy given specifically to the righteous, referring to them as the sons of men—implying those who are born of the second Adam, Christ. He asserts that “the sons of men in the blood of Thy mercy have hope.” In making this distinction, he suggests that while animals may be satisfied with mere earthly sustenance, the chosen sons of men, similar to chicks sheltered beneath the wings of a hen, find safety and hope under God’s protective embrace, anticipating not just temporary blessings but eternal ones as well.

This conveys a profound assurance of God’s distinctive providence and favor towards the devout, paralleling the commitment the faithful have to God, much like a hen’s nurturing care for her chicks. Such imagery is commonly referenced, for instance in Psalm 62: “In the blood of Thy mercy I will rejoice; my soul clings to Thee,” and in Psalm 90: “He shall overshadow thee with His shoulders, and under His wings thou shalt hope.” There is no one who can fully comprehend the delight and greater desirability of finding rest under God’s protection and experiencing His paternal or maternal love, except those who revel in that blessed experience.