Psalms 81:10

KJV

I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, which brought {H5927}{H8688)} thee out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: open thy mouth {H6310} wide {H7337}{H8685)}, and I will fill {H4390}{H8762)} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am ADONAI your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth, and I will fill it.'

Berean Standard Bible

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.

American Standard Version

I am Jehovah thy God, Who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt: Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 81:10 stands as a profound declaration of Yahweh's covenantal identity and His boundless capacity to provide for His people, contingent upon their faithful obedience. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's past redemptive acts, particularly the Exodus, and extends an open invitation to experience His abundant, satisfying provision for all needs—spiritual, physical, and emotional—if they will but trust Him fully and express their needs expansively.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 81 is a unique blend of communal lament, wisdom instruction, and prophetic oracle, likely intended for a major Israelite festival such as Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) or Passover, as suggested by the mention of the new moon and full moon (vv. 3-4) and the Exodus narrative. The psalm begins with a joyous call to worship and celebration (vv. 1-5a), recounting God's establishment of the festival as a statute. It then transitions abruptly into a divine oracle (vv. 5b-16), where God Himself speaks directly to Israel. Verse 10 is a pivotal part of this divine address, serving as a foundational declaration of God's identity and His historical faithfulness, which then sets the stage for a lament concerning Israel's disobedience (vv. 11-12) and the consequent blessings they forfeited (vv. 13-16). The "open thy mouth wide" invitation is thus presented within a context of both divine promise and human failure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this psalm is the foundational covenant between Yahweh and Israel, established at Sinai following the miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The declaration "I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt" directly echoes the preamble to the Ten Commandments in [Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "Exodus 20:2 - The Preamble to the Ten Commandments"), emphasizing that God's commands are rooted in His prior redemptive acts. Festivals like Passover and Sukkot were crucial annual reminders of God's saving power and provision, reinforcing national identity and covenant obligations. The imagery of "opening the mouth wide" might evoke a hungry bird's posture, a common sight in the ancient Near East, symbolizing complete dependence and eager expectation for sustenance from a parent. This metaphor would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society dependent on divine provision for rain and harvest.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several major themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Identity and Sovereignty**, asserting Yahweh's unique status as Israel's God and Deliverer. Secondly, it highlights **God's Redemptive Faithfulness**, rooting His present and future promises in His past, undeniable acts of salvation, particularly the [Exodus](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **Divine Provision and Abundance**, portraying God as one who desires to lavishly supply the needs of His people, not just meagerly. Finally, it implicitly touches upon the theme of **Covenant Obedience and Trust**, as the invitation to "open thy mouth wide" is presented within a context where Israel's failure to listen (v. 11) directly impacted their experience of God's promised abundance (vv. 13-16). The psalm contrasts God's readiness to bless with Israel's historical reluctance to fully embrace His will, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** This is the personal, covenantal name of God (יהוה), revealed to Moses at the burning bush (cf. [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")). Its use here emphasizes God's self-existent nature, His unchanging faithfulness to His promises, and His unique relationship with Israel as their covenant God. It is the name that signifies His active presence and redemptive power.
* **Open thy mouth wide (Hebrew, _harchev-pikha'_):** The verb הַרְחֶב ( _harchev_ ) means "to make wide, enlarge, broaden." The phrase literally translates to "make wide your mouth." This is a vivid, active imperative, not a passive waiting. It conveys the idea of expressing a great, expansive need or desire, an unreserved readiness to receive. It implies a posture of deep spiritual hunger, confident expectation, and uninhibited asking, much like a young bird fully opening its beak to receive food from its parent.
* **Fill it (Hebrew, _va'amale'ehu'_):** The verb וַאֲמַלְאֵהוּ ( _va'amale'ehu_ ) means "and I will fill it." This is a strong promise of complete and satisfying supply. The suffix "-ehu" refers back to "thy mouth," assuring that the very capacity created by "opening wide" will be completely satisfied. It speaks to God's boundless resources and His desire to provide abundantly, not just adequately, for every expressed need.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I [am] the LORD thy God":** This clause serves as a foundational declaration of divine identity and authority. It reasserts the covenant relationship between Yahweh, the self-existent and faithful God, and Israel, His chosen people. It reminds them of who He is—not merely a deity, but *their* God, personally committed to them. This statement establishes the speaker's right to command and His capacity to fulfill what follows.
* **"which brought thee out of the land of Egypt":** This phrase grounds God's identity and authority in a specific, undeniable historical act of redemption. The Exodus was the defining event of Israel's formation as a nation and the preeminent demonstration of God's power, faithfulness, and love. By recalling this, God reminds Israel that the one who delivered them from slavery is the same one who continues to be their provider and protector, validating His present invitation and future promises.
* **"open thy mouth wide":** This is a direct, imperative command and an invitation. It uses a powerful metaphor, urging Israel to express their needs, desires, and spiritual hunger without reservation or limitation. It implies that their capacity to receive is directly related to their willingness to ask and expect greatly from God, encouraging a posture of expansive faith and dependence rather than timid, constrained requests.
* **"and I will fill it":** This is God's unconditional promise, contingent upon the preceding command. It assures a complete, satisfying, and abundant supply for whatever needs are expressed. It signifies God's limitless resources and His desire to meet and exceed the expectations of His people, indicating that His provision is not just sufficient but overflowing, designed to bring full satisfaction and flourishing.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." This vivid image transforms the abstract concept of spiritual hunger and divine provision into a concrete, relatable act, akin to a hungry bird opening its beak for food. This **Anthropomorphism** (attributing human-like actions to God, in His promise to "fill" the mouth) underscores His personal engagement and responsiveness. The structure of the verse also demonstrates **Parallelism** and **Cause-and-Effect**, where God's identity and past actions ("I am the LORD... which brought thee out...") serve as the basis for His present command and future promise ("open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it"). This establishes a logical and theological connection between His nature, His history, and His ongoing desire to bless. The declaration "I am the LORD thy God" also functions as a powerful **Assertion of Authority**, setting the tone for the divine oracle that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 81:10 beautifully encapsulates the essence of God's covenant relationship with His people: He is the faithful Deliverer who invites radical trust and promises abundant provision. This verse echoes the foundational truth that God's identity as "Yahweh" is inextricably linked to His redemptive acts and His commitment to His covenant. The invitation to "open thy mouth wide" is a call to expansive faith, recognizing that God's capacity to give far exceeds human limitations or expectations. It challenges believers to move beyond meager requests, trusting in a God whose resources are infinite and whose desire is to satisfy deeply and completely. This principle of asking boldly and receiving abundantly is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting God's generosity and His desire for His people to live in fullness.
* [Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "Exodus 20:2 - The First Commandment Preamble")
* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 81:10 serves as a timeless invitation for believers today to engage with God in a posture of profound trust and expansive expectation. Just as God delivered Israel from physical bondage, He has delivered us from spiritual slavery through Christ. This verse prompts us to reflect on God's past faithfulness in our own lives, remembering His consistent provision and deliverance, which then strengthens our faith for present and future challenges. The call to "open thy mouth wide" challenges the often-limited scope of our prayers and desires. Are we truly bringing our deepest needs, our largest aspirations, and our most audacious requests before the Lord, or are we constrained by our own perceived limitations, past disappointments, or a small view of God? God desires to fill us not only with physical sustenance but with spiritual nourishment, wisdom, peace, strength, and the very presence of His Spirit. He invites us to approach Him with a boundless confidence, knowing that His capacity to give is infinite and His desire to bless is unwavering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you holding back, perhaps asking too little of God, rather than "opening your mouth wide"?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness in your life strengthen your confidence to trust Him with your current and future needs?**
* **What does "being filled" by God look like for you, beyond just material provision? What spiritual or emotional hunger is God inviting you to bring to Him?**

### FAQ

**Does "open thy mouth wide" refer only to physical needs, or does it have a broader meaning?**

Answer: While the imagery of "filling" can certainly include physical sustenance, the context and broader biblical themes suggest a much wider application. "Open thy mouth wide" primarily refers to expressing a deep, expansive spiritual hunger, an unreserved readiness to receive from God in all aspects of life—spiritual wisdom, peace, joy, strength, guidance, and even physical provision. It encompasses a posture of complete dependence and expectant faith for all that God desires to pour into His people's lives for their well-being and flourishing. This is consistent with how Jesus taught about seeking the [kingdom of God first](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom"), with all other things being added.

**Is God's promise to "fill it" conditional on my obedience?**

Answer: The immediate literary context of Psalm 81 (vv. 11-16) strongly suggests that while God's *desire* to fill is boundless, the *experience* of that abundant filling is indeed conditional on Israel's willingness to listen and obey His voice. God laments that Israel "would not hearken to my voice" (v. 11), leading to a forfeiture of the blessings He longed to bestow. Therefore, while God's character and capacity to provide are unchanging, our receptivity to His blessings is often tied to our posture of trust, obedience, and alignment with His will. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that obedience is a fruit of faith, and that those who [abide in Christ and His words](/john/15-7 "John 15:7 - Abide in Me") can ask what they desire and it will be done.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 81:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt" foreshadows Christ, who delivers humanity from a far greater bondage—the slavery of sin and death. Just as the Exodus was the foundational act of Israel's redemption, Christ's death and resurrection constitute the definitive act of spiritual liberation for all who believe (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). The invitation to "open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it" is gloriously realized in Christ, who declared Himself the "bread of life" (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the source of "living water" (cf. [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")). Through Him, believers are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace, where they can receive abundant grace and mercy to help in time of need (cf. [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). The "filling" promised by God is now experienced through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers, guides, and satisfies the deepest spiritual hungers of those who trust in Christ (cf. [Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Ephesians 5:18 - Be Filled with the Spirit")). In Christ, God's boundless provision is not merely a promise for a nation, but a personal reality for every believer, enabling them to live a life of fullness and abundance (cf. [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Psalms 107:9

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Exodus 20:2

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

John 7:37

¶ In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

Ephesians 3:19

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Revelation 21:6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.