Psalms 145:15

Psalm 145:15 beautifully articulates God's universal and timely provision for all living creatures. This verse is part of a magnificent psalm of praise by King David, highlighting the Lord's boundless goodness, righteous character, and compassionate care for His entire creation.

Context

Psalm 145 is a comprehensive psalm of praise, often considered the culminating psalm of David. It is an acrostic psalm, with each verse (mostly) beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, emphasizing its completeness in praising God. This particular verse falls within a section that magnifies God's benevolent rule and His active involvement in sustaining life. It follows declarations of God's abundant goodness (Psalm 145:7) and His mercy and compassion (Psalm 145:8), leading into the direct observation of His provision. It sets the stage for the powerful statement in Psalm 145:16, where God "opens thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."

Key Themes

• Divine Providence and Sustenance: The verse unequivocally states that God is the ultimate source of all nourishment and provision. It highlights His active role in sustaining life, from the smallest creature to humanity.
• Universal Dependence: "The eyes of all wait upon thee" signifies that every living being, by instinct and necessity, looks to God for sustenance. This underscores a foundational truth: all creation is utterly dependent on its Creator.
• Timely and Appropriate Provision: The phrase "meat in due season" assures us that God provides not only what is needed but also at the perfect time. His provision is never too early or too late, always fitting the specific need of the moment. This speaks to His wisdom and perfect timing.
• God's Benevolence and Goodness: This act of providing stems from God's inherent character of goodness and love. He is not a reluctant provider but one who delights in caring for His creation.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "wait upon" is śābar (שָׂבַר), which implies more than just passive waiting. It conveys a sense of hopeful expectation, patient endurance, and looking with anticipation. It suggests an active posture of trust and reliance on God's faithfulness.
• "Meat" comes from the Hebrew ʾōḵel (אֹכֶל), a general term for food or nourishment, encompassing all that sustains life.
• "In due season" translates the Hebrew bəʿittō (בְּעִתּוֹ), emphasizing "in its time" or "at its proper time." This highlights the precision and wisdom of God's timing in meeting needs.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound comfort and a call to faith for believers today:

• Cultivate Trust: In a world filled with uncertainties, this verse reminds us that we can confidently place our trust in God's unfailing provision. Just as He feeds the birds of the air and cares for the lilies, He will surely provide for His children.
• Embrace Dependence: It encourages us to acknowledge our inherent dependence on God for all things, fostering humility and a spirit of reliance rather than self-sufficiency.
• Practice Gratitude: Recognizing that every blessing, every meal, and every breath comes from His hand should inspire profound gratitude in our hearts.
• Be Channels of Provision: As recipients of God's generous provision, we are also called to be instruments of His care in the world, sharing our resources with those in need and reflecting His benevolence.

The timeless truth of Psalm 145:15 is a powerful anchor, assuring us that our Heavenly Father is attentive to our needs and will always provide "in due season." Indeed, the Lord is good unto them that wait for him.