Spurgeon Morning and Evening March 4 PM

Biblical Context

Psalm 36 is a psalm written by David, a man after God’s own heart. It starts by showing the dark nature of wicked people, contrasting it sharply with God’s loving-kindness and faithfulness. David tells us how God’s mercy reaches to the heavens and His truth goes all the way to the clouds. He talks about how God keeps both people and animals safe. The psalm moves from the darkness of human sin and foolishness to the bright light of God’s amazing character. Our verse today, Psalm 36:8, comes right in the middle of this beautiful contrast. It shows the good things God gives to those who trust Him, especially when compared to those who turn away from Him. David wrote these words to show God’s strong care and how much good He wants to give. It’s a song of confidence in God’s great love for His people.

Key Word Study

Let’s look closely at the word “satisfied” in Psalm 36:8.

In the original Hebrew, the word used is ravah (רָוָה). It’s a powerful word that means “to be saturated,” “to drink deeply,” “to be abundantly watered,” or “to have enough and more.” It’s not just about getting by or barely having enough; it’s about being filled up completely, like dry ground drinking deeply from a steady stream of water until it’s soaked through. It means to be quenched, to have all your needs met with overflowing goodness. When the Bible uses ravah, it points to a deep, full satisfaction that goes past just the surface. It’s an inward sense of being truly full, not wanting for anything more. This is the kind of complete satisfaction God truly wants for you, not just for your body, but for your soul and spirit too.

More Than Solomon’s Table

Remember the Queen of Sheba? She came to Solomon’s court and was completely stunned by what she saw. The Bible tells us she “lost all heart” when she saw the daily “provision of a single day” for his household. Can you imagine that level of wealth and organization, so grand it took her breath away? She “marvelled equally at the company of servants who were feasted at the royal board.” That’s a powerful picture of earthly greatness and luxury. But the grace God offers you, it’s something else entirely. It’s way bigger, way more amazing than anything a king could provide. God feeds “Ten thousand thousand of his people daily.” Think about that vast number! These people aren’t just sampling; they come “hungry and thirsty,” bringing “large appetites with them to the banquet.” Yet, “not one of them returns unsatisfied.” You’re not going to leave God’s table feeling empty or wanting more. There’s “enough for each, enough for all, enough for evermore.” It’s a supply that never runs dry, never gets low. Even though the crowd that eats at God’s table is too many to count, like the stars of heaven, “yet each one has his portion of meat.” God sees you, and He knows your specific need. He’s not overwhelmed by the numbers; He’s perfectly able to provide for every single one of His children with personal care.

An Endless Supply of Grace

Think about just how much grace you, as one person, might need in a single day. So much so that “nothing but the Infinite could supply him for one day.” It’s a staggering thought, right? You need something only God Himself can truly give. And yet, the Lord “spreads His table, not for one, but many saints.” It’s not a private dinner; it’s a huge, open feast for all His children. And this isn’t a one-time thing, or for a short season. It’s “not for one day, but for many years.” And it goes even further than that: “not for many years only, but for generation after generation.” This tells you about God’s never-ending kindness and His constant, reliable nature. His provision isn’t just for you in this moment; it’s for everyone who calls on Him, stretching through time, reaching down to your children and their children. You can count on it never running out or falling short.

Abundantly Satisfied with Fatness

Our main scripture today, Psalm 36:8, is a strong, sure promise. It talks about “full feasting.” The people who come to God’s mercy banquet are not just satisfied; the Bible says they are “abundantly satisfied.” This isn’t just a little bit extra; it’s a complete filling up and then some, an overflowing measure. And what are they eating? It’s “not with ordinary fare, but with fatness, the peculiar fatness of God’s own house.” In ancient times, ‘fatness’ meant the best, the richest, the most choice parts. It speaks of luxury, health, and joy, not scarcity. You’re getting the best of the best, direct from God’s personal table. This amazing, rich feasting is locked in place “by a faithful promise to all those children of men who put their trust under the shadow of Jehovah’s wings.” God’s word stands firm, and He always keeps His promises. If you run to Him for safety and put your trust in Him, this overflowing, rich goodness is promised to you. It’s yours for the taking.

No Scraps, Only the King’s Table

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’re not worthy of God’s full attention or His best. I once thought, “if I might but get the broken meat at God’s back door of grace I should be satisfied.” It’s that feeling of just wanting any little bit of God’s goodness, like the woman who said, “The dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.” You might feel like you only deserve the leftovers, the scraps from the floor. But let me tell you, that’s not how God treats His kids. “No child of God is ever served with scraps and leavings.” You’re not a dog at the back door. You’re a son, a daughter, invited right up to the front, to a place of honor. You’re treated “like Mephibosheth.” Remember him? He was crippled, an outcast, but King David brought him to “eat from the king’s own table” always, not just for a visit. That’s your place at God’s table. In matters of grace, “we all have Benjamin’s mess” – a special, extra large portion, far more than you’d expect. “We all have ten times more than we could have expected.” Even though “our necessities are great,” and sometimes we feel so needy, “yet are we often amazed at the marvellous plenty of grace which God gives us experimentally to enjoy.” You don’t just hear about God’s grace; you feel it, you live it, you know it in your heart. It’s a real, tangible, amazing overflow in your life. God gives you way more than you ever could have hoped for or earned.