Psalms 90:14

KJV

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

KJV (with Strong's)

O satisfy {H7646}{H8761)} us early {H1242} with thy mercy {H2617}; that we may rejoice {H7442}{H8762)} and be glad {H8055}{H8799)} all our days {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Fill us at daybreak with your love, so that we can sing for joy as long as we live.

Berean Standard Bible

Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

American Standard Version

Oh satisfy us in the morning with thy lovingkindness, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 90:14 is a profound and urgent prayer from Moses, deeply rooted in the awareness of human frailty and the brevity of life. Following a sobering reflection on mortality and the consequences of sin, this verse pivots to a fervent petition for God's immediate and abundant mercy. It expresses a yearning for divine satisfaction that transforms sorrow into enduring joy and gladness, not for a fleeting moment, but to permeate and define every day of human existence. This plea encapsulates a desire for God's steadfast love to be the foundational source of contentment and delight, overcoming the transient nature of earthly life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 90 stands as a unique and ancient prayer, attributed to Moses, contrasting the eternal, sovereign nature of God with the fleeting, fragile existence of humanity. The preceding verses paint a somber picture of human life: its brevity, often likened to a sigh or a dream (e.g., [Psalms 90:9](/psalms/90-9 "Psalms 90:9 - Life as a Fleeting Thought")), its duration limited to "seventy years, or by reason of strength eighty years" ([Psalms 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalms 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")), and its days filled with "trouble and sorrow." This lament is not merely a statement of fact but a recognition that human mortality is often a consequence of divine displeasure due to sin ([Psalms 90:7-8](/psalms/90-7 "Psalms 90:7-8 - God's Anger and Our Secret Sins")). Against this backdrop of divine wrath and human transience, verse 14 introduces a dramatic shift, a fervent plea for God's grace to intervene and transform this sorrowful reality into one of enduring gladness, demonstrating a pivot from lament to petition.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to Moses, Psalm 90 likely reflects the experiences of the Israelites during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. This period was marked by divine judgment for their rebellion and unbelief, resulting in an entire generation perishing before reaching the Promised Land (e.g., [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29-35 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Judgment on the Wilderness Generation")). The harshness of the desert, the constant awareness of death, and the consequences of their corporate sin would have deeply impressed upon them the brevity of life and the severity of God's judgment. Moses, as their leader, intimately shared in their suffering and witnessed this divine discipline. The prayer for God's "mercy" and "satisfaction early" thus carries the weight of a people who have experienced profound hardship and divine wrath, yearning for a new beginning, a fresh outpouring of God's favor that would bring joy and stability to their precarious existence.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty and Eternity of God** in stark contrast to human finitude. While God is "from everlasting to everlasting" ([Psalms 90:2](/psalms/90-2 "Psalms 90:2 - God's Eternity")), humanity is but grass that "flourishes in the morning and fades in the evening" ([Psalms 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5-6 "Psalms 90:5-6 - Human Life as Grass")). Secondly, it underscores the profound **Need for Divine Mercy and Grace**. Recognizing humanity's inherent weakness and susceptibility to sin, the psalm moves from acknowledging God's just wrath to desperately appealing for His steadfast love (_ḥesed_) to transform their condition. Thirdly, it expresses a deep yearning for **True and Lasting Satisfaction and Joy**, which is posited not in worldly achievements or longevity, but solely in the presence and favor of God. This joy is presented as an antidote to the sorrow and trouble that characterize human life apart from God's intervention, promising a gladness that endures "all our days," contrasting with the fleeting nature of life described earlier in the psalm.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satisfy (Hebrew, _śāvaʿ'_ - שָׂבַע):** This verb means "to be full, to be satisfied, to have enough." It implies a complete and abundant filling, not merely a partial alleviation. In this context, it speaks of a deep spiritual contentment and fulfillment that transcends physical needs, a soul-satisfaction that only God's presence and favor can provide. It suggests an overflowing measure of divine goodness that leaves no room for spiritual hunger or emptiness.
* **Early (Hebrew, _bōqer'_ - בֹּקֶר):** Literally meaning "morning," this word carries significant metaphorical weight here. It can imply "promptly" or "soon," indicating an urgent desire for God's mercy to come without delay. It also suggests "at the dawn of a new day" or "at the beginning of life/a new season," highlighting a desire for God's blessing to precede and shape all experiences, setting the tone for a life of gladness from the outset. This echoes the idea of God's mercies being "new every morning" ([Lamentations 3:23](/lamentations/3-23 "Lamentations 3:23 - God's Mercies Are New Every Morning")).
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥesed'_ - חֶסֶד):** This rich theological term denotes God's covenantal love, steadfast faithfulness, loyal kindness, and unfailing goodness. It is not mere pity, but an active, committed, and enduring love that God demonstrates towards His people, especially in times of need. It speaks to God's character as one who keeps His promises and acts with benevolent loyalty, even when His people are undeserving.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O satisfy us early with thy mercy;":** This clause is a fervent and urgent petition. The "O" (often implied in the imperative) conveys the intensity of the plea. The request to "satisfy us" with God's "mercy" ( _ḥesed_) speaks to a deep spiritual hunger for God's steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. The adverb "early" (_bōqer_) underscores the urgency, a desire for this divine satisfaction to come swiftly and to permeate the very beginning of their days, setting a foundational tone of blessing rather than waiting for it to come later or be a fleeting experience. It's a prayer for God's abundant, loyal love to fill them completely, from the start.
* **"that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.":** This second clause expresses the intended outcome and purpose of the requested divine satisfaction. The result of being filled with God's mercy is an enduring state of "rejoice and be glad." This is not a superficial or temporary happiness, but a profound, sustained joy and delight that is rooted in God's faithfulness and presence. The phrase "all our days" stands in stark contrast to the earlier lament about the brevity and sorrow of life, indicating a desire for God's mercy to transform the entirety of their existence, allowing them to experience continuous gladness despite the challenges and finite nature of human life.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 90:14 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its profound message. The entire psalm functions as a **Lament** and a **Petition**, moving from a mournful reflection on human mortality and divine judgment to an earnest appeal for God's grace. Within verse 14 specifically, there is a powerful **Contrast** with the preceding verses, which detail the brevity and sorrow of life; this verse introduces a hopeful counter-narrative, proposing that divine mercy can transform sorrow into enduring joy. The use of "early" ( _bōqer_) functions as a **Metaphor** for a new beginning, a fresh start, or an urgent, immediate intervention, implying that God's blessing should precede and define all subsequent experiences. The language itself is a direct **Supplication**, a heartfelt cry that emphasizes humanity's utter dependence on God for true satisfaction and lasting gladness. The desired outcome of "rejoice and be glad all our days" serves as a powerful **Antithesis** to the "trouble and sorrow" mentioned earlier in the psalm, highlighting the transformative power of God's _ḥesed_.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully encapsulates the essence of true human flourishing: it is found not in self-sufficiency or worldly pursuits, but in being utterly satisfied by God's unwavering mercy. The prayer acknowledges humanity's inherent weakness and the brevity of life, yet it refuses to succumb to despair. Instead, it posits that God's steadfast love (_ḥesed_) is the sole source capable of filling the deepest human longings and transforming sorrow into enduring joy. This satisfaction is not merely emotional but spiritual, a profound contentment that flows from a right relationship with a faithful God. It speaks to the biblical truth that life's truest joy is found in communion with the Creator, whose mercies are indeed new every morning, providing fresh hope and strength for each day.

* [Psalms 16:11](/psalms/16-11 "Psalms 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies Are New Every Morning")
* [John 4:13-14](/john/4-13-14 "John 4:13-14 - The Living Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 90:14 offers a timeless and profound model for prayer and living in the presence of God. In a world constantly seeking satisfaction in fleeting pleasures, material possessions, or human achievements, this verse redirects our gaze to the only true source of enduring contentment: God's mercy. It challenges us to reorient our priorities, to begin each day not with anxieties or ambitions, but with a fervent plea for God's steadfast love to fill and sustain us. Recognizing the brevity of our days and the troubles that inevitably come, this prayer reminds us that genuine joy is not dependent on perfect circumstances but on a deep, abiding relationship with the One whose faithfulness never ceases. To pray this verse is to acknowledge our dependence, to embrace humility, and to cultivate a posture of constant receptivity to God's grace, allowing His mercy to permeate every aspect of our lives and transform our outlook from one of despair to one of confident, lifelong gladness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the awareness of life's brevity (as described in Psalm 90) shape your understanding of the urgency in this prayer for God's mercy?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking satisfaction, and how might shifting your focus to God's mercy bring a deeper, more lasting joy?**
* **What does it mean for God's mercy to "satisfy" you "early" in your day or in a new season of life? How can you practically pursue this?**
* **How does the promise of "rejoice and be glad all our days" contrast with the common human experience of fluctuating emotions? What does this imply about the nature of God-given joy?**

### FAQ

**What does "satisfy us early with thy mercy" truly mean in a practical sense for believers today?**

Answer: Practically, "satisfy us early with thy mercy" means seeking God's steadfast love and favor as the very first and most essential thing in our lives, particularly at the beginning of each day or a new season. It's a prayer for God's abundant grace to fill us completely, providing deep spiritual contentment and peace before we engage with the world's demands or anxieties. This implies prioritizing time with God, meditating on His Word, and acknowledging our dependence on Him for true fulfillment, rather than seeking satisfaction from worldly pursuits or accomplishments. It's a proactive posture of receiving His goodness, allowing it to set the tone for all that follows, ensuring that our joy is rooted in Him, not in circumstances.

**How can we "rejoice and be glad all our days" when life is full of sorrow and trouble?**

Answer: The ability to "rejoice and be glad all our days," even amidst sorrow and trouble, is not about denying pain but about grounding our joy in something unshakeable: God's unfailing mercy and presence. This joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep spiritual state, a fruit of the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:22](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), that perseveres through trials. It comes from the assurance of God's love, His sovereign control, and His ultimate redemptive plan. While we will experience grief and hardship in this fallen world, the believer's core identity and hope are found in Christ, enabling a gladness that transcends circumstances, knowing that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him" ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Our Good")). It's a joy that flows from being satisfied by God's mercy, which is sufficient for every day.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 90:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The plea for God to "satisfy us early with thy mercy" resonates deeply with the New Covenant reality, where God's ultimate mercy was poured out through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Humanity's deepest hunger for satisfaction, a spiritual void created by sin, is fully met in Christ, who declared, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The "mercy" ( _ḥesed_) that Moses prayed for is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who is "full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has taken away the wrath of God and secured for believers an everlasting covenant of grace, ensuring that God's favor is indeed "early" and abundant in their lives. The promised outcome, "that we may rejoice and be glad all our days," is realized in the Christian life through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who fills believers with "joy in the Holy Spirit" ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit")) and enables them to rejoice even in suffering ([Romans 5:3](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3 - Rejoicing in Suffering")). In Christ, we are not merely given a fleeting moment of gladness, but a secure and eternal satisfaction that empowers us to live lives of enduring joy, confident in the unfailing mercy of God made manifest in His Son.

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

Psalms 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalms 85:6

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Psalms 86:4

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Psalms 31:7

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.

Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Psalms 103:5

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.