Psalms 36:7
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
חַסְדְּךָ֗
is thy lovingkindness
H2617
חַסְדְּךָ֗
is thy lovingkindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
3 of 9
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים
O God
H430
אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים
O God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וּבְנֵ֥י
therefore the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֥י
therefore the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֑ם
of men
H120
אָדָ֑ם
of men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
6 of 9
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Cross References
1 John 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.Psalms 86:5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.Psalms 91:4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Ruth 2:12The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.Psalms 139:17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!Psalms 31:19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!Exodus 34:6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,Psalms 86:15But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.Psalms 17:8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Historical Context
The mercy seat in the tabernacle/temple, where God's presence dwelt between the cherubim's wings, provided the primary referent for this metaphor. God's people found safety in proximity to His holy presence.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for you to practically 'put your trust under the shadow of God's wings'?
- How does dependence on God's protection differ from self-reliance?
Analysis & Commentary
The exclamation 'How excellent!' (Hebrew 'yaqar,' precious, rare, valuable) expresses wonder at God's lovingkindness. The imagery 'shadow of thy wings' evokes both the cherubim's wings over the mercy seat (Exodus 25:20) and a mother bird protecting young (Psalm 91:4, Matthew 23:37). Trusting 'under' these wings indicates finding refuge in God's protective presence. This intimate imagery contrasts sharply with the wicked's autonomy (vv. 1-4), showing that security comes from dependence on God, not independence from Him.