Psalms 36:10

10 Continue to show your mercy to those who know you and your righteousness to those whose motives are decent.

Psalms 36:10 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 36:10

O continue thy lovingkindness to them that know thee
That is, spiritually and experimentally; and such are they that trust in him and love him: and these are the objects of the love of God; not that their knowledge, faith, or love, are the cause of his love to them; but these things describe and point at manifestly the objects of it; and this request regards the open discovery of it unto them: for the love of God itself always continues, though the manifestations of it are not always the same; and it is for the enlargement and continuance of them the psalmist here prays: for it may be rendered, "draw out thy lovingkindness" F7; that is, to a greater length; make a larger and clearer discovery of it, that the height and depth, and length and breadth of it, may be more discerned;

and thy righteousness unto the upright in heart;
who are sincere and without guile; who have new hearts created and right spirits renewed in them, and have truth in the inward parts; and unto and upon such is the righteousness of Christ, and where it always continues, for it is an everlasting one; but here it means a clearer and constant revelation of it from faith to faith; unless it should rather intend the righteousness of God in protecting his people from the insults of their enemies, and the continual exertion of it for that purpose.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Kvm) "trahe", Pagninus, Montanus; "extende", Vatablus, Piscator; "protrahe", Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 36:10 In-Context

8 They are refreshed with the rich foods in your house, and you make them drink from the river of your pleasure.
9 Indeed, the fountain of life is with you. In your light we see light.
10 Continue to show your mercy to those who know you and your righteousness to those whose motives are decent.
11 Do not let the feet of arrogant people step on me or the hands of wicked people push me away.
12 Look at the troublemakers who have fallen. They have been pushed down and are unable to stand up again.
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