John Calvin Commentary Psalms 36:8

"They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; And thou wilt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures." — Psalms 36:8 (ASV)

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of that house. I have no doubt that by the fatness of God’s house the prophet means the abundance of good things which is not designed for all people indiscriminately, but is laid up in store for the children of God who commit themselves wholly to his protection.

Some restrict the expression to spiritual graces; but to me it seems more likely that under it are comprehended all the blessings that are necessary to the happiness and comfort of the present life, as well as those which pertain to eternal and heavenly blessedness.

However, it should be observed that in the style of speaking the prophet uses here, the use of earthly blessings is connected with the gracious experience of faith, in the exercise of which we alone can enjoy them rightfully and lawfully to our own welfare.

When the ungodly glut themselves with the abundance of God’s benefits, their bodies indeed grow fat like the flesh of cattle or swine, but their souls are always empty and famished. It is the faithful alone, as I have said, who are satisfied with the goodness of God towards them, because it is to them a pledge of his fatherly love.

The expression meat and drink denotes a complete and perfect fullness, and the term river, denotes an overflowing abundance.