Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 36:9

"For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light." — Psalms 36:9 (ASV)

For with thee is the fountain of life—The fountain or source from which all life flows. All living beings derive their origin from you, as streams flow from fountains. All that is properly called life proceeds from you; everything that makes life real life—which makes it desirable or happy—has its origin in you.

The psalmist evidently meant here to include more than mere life considered as animated existence. He recalls what he had referred to in the previous verses—the various blessings which proceeded from the mercy and loving-kindness of God, and which were attendant on his worship. And he here says that all this—all that makes man happy, all that can properly be regarded as life—proceeds from God.

Life literally, in man and in all animated beings; life spiritually; life here, and life hereafter—all is to be traced to God.

In thy light shall we see light—As you are the Source of light, and all light proceeds from you, so we shall be enabled to see light, or to see what is true, only as we see it in you.

By looking to you; by meditating on your character; by a right understanding of yourself; by being encompassed with the light which encompasses you, we shall be enabled to see light on all those great questions which perplex us, and which it is so desirable that we should understand.

It is not by looking at ourselves; it is not by any human teaching; it is not by searching for information away from you, that we can hope to have the questions which perplex us solved. It is only by coming to yourself, and looking directly to you.

There is no other source of real light and truth but God. In the contemplation of himself, and of the light which encompasses him, and in that alone, can we hope to comprehend the great subjects on which we pant so much to be informed.

All away from God is dark; all near him is light. If, therefore, we desire light on the subjects which pertain to our salvation, it must be sought by a direct and near approach to him. And the more we can lose ourselves in the splendors of his throne, the more we shall understand of truth.

Compare 1 John 1:5; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5; 1 Peter 2:9.