Psalm 36:1, An oracle [Heb. nah-oom] within my heart. Nahoom is from the verb meaning “to say or to whisper or, by implication, to utter an oracle.” The Spirit of YHVH will speak to a person from within their inner or personal spirit and give them divine revelation (see also Ps 13:2–3). This calls to mind Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am Elohim,” or the still small voice of YHVH that Elijah heard in the entrance of the cave (1 Kgs 19:12; cp. Ps 4:4; Isa 8:6).
Psalm 36:7, Shadow of your wings. This is an example of poetic imagery or a simile in the Bible. Obviously, YHVH Elohim is not a winged, bird-like creature. The Scriptures contain many such examples where metaphors and similes are employed as poetic devices to describe supernatural aspects or characteristics of Deity where human language lacks the precise verbiage to do so. Often, Bible students come up with novel and even silly interpretations of Scripture when they take biblical poetic imagery and attach a literal meaning to it. When one does this, they can almost make the Bible say anything they want.
Psalm 36:8–9, River…fountain of life…in Your light. When we are in Elohim’s river of life, it is a fountain of life to us, and when we are bathed in the light of YHHV’s divinely revealed Truth, we will see light or Truth (cp. Pss 18:28; 44:3).
Psalm 36:9, In Your light [Heb. aur] we see light [Heb. aur]. In the Bible, the Hebrew aur or ‘or is spelled two ways: in its complete or longer form as אור or, and in its defective or shortened form as אר. The Jewish sages recognize a deep spiritual truth in this anomaly in the Hebrew text of Scripture. The longer form of the word aur signifies the spiritual light or divine revelation and Truth that emanates only from YHVH Elohim and is given to those he chooses and who have a heart and mind to receive it. The word in its shortened form signifies light, truth or knowledge at a lower level and includes human knowledge minus divine revelation. In a most terse and cryptic manner, this verse speaks volumes! Let this revelation sink in.
But this chapter has even more to offer us in this regard. Let’s move onward and upward as we uncover this vein of gold in the solid rock of YHVH’s word. This whole psalm is about the pure and undiminished light of divine revelation that heaven gives only to a select few. For example, verse one opens with the words, “an oracle within my heart….” This is referring to a declaration or utterance that comes out of the innermost part of a godly person—that is, one’s personal spirit that is connected to the Holy Spirit of Elohim. That is to say, the saints are connected to their Creator in a most unique and special way in that they have a direct communication pipeline to heaven! This is because they trust in YHVH, and they dwell under the shadow of his (spiritual) wings (v. 7). As a result, they are the recipients of his excellent lovingkindness (v. 7) and “[t]hey shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light” (vv. 8–9). Now if this does not brighten your day, bless you and encourage you to draw closer to YHVH Elohim and to abide continually in Yeshua the Messiah (read John 15:1–17), then what will?
