Psalms 91:16

KJV

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

KJV (with Strong's)

With long {H753} life {H3117} will I satisfy {H7646}{H8686)} him, and shew {H7200}{H8686)} him my salvation {H3444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will satisfy him with long life and show him my salvation."

Berean Standard Bible

With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

American Standard Version

With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 91:16 concludes this powerful psalm of divine protection with a profound, direct promise from God, assuring the faithful of ultimate satisfaction and the full revelation of His saving power. This climactic verse encapsulates the psalm's overarching message of unwavering divine care and the comprehensive blessings bestowed upon those who take refuge in the Most High, promising not merely extended days but a life imbued with divine purpose and the ultimate experience of God's comprehensive deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 91 stands as a powerful declaration of God's protective presence, a psalm of trust that assures the believer of divine refuge amidst various dangers. The preceding verses detail numerous threats—terror by night, arrow by day, pestilence, destruction, and even the lion and cobra—against which God promises deliverance. The psalm shifts from a general affirmation of trust (verses 1-2) to a direct address to the one who trusts (verses 3-13), culminating in a divine oracle where God Himself speaks (verses 14-16). Verse 16, therefore, serves as the climactic divine pronouncement, directly affirming the ultimate rewards for unwavering devotion and trust, bringing the psalm to a triumphant close by God's own voice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, "long life" was often understood as a tangible sign of God's blessing and covenant faithfulness, contrasting sharply with premature death, which could be seen as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment. This perspective is deeply rooted in the Deuteronomic covenant, where obedience to God often resulted in prosperity and longevity in the land. "Salvation" (Hebrew: _yeshu'ah_) in this context encompassed physical deliverance from enemies, disease, and danger, as well as spiritual well-being and a sense of security in God's presence. The psalm likely reflects a period where believers faced various threats—from warfare and disease to general anxieties—and sought assurance in God's sovereign protection, a common theme in the life of the Israelite community.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 91:16 powerfully reinforces several core themes woven throughout the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Protection and Providence**, asserting God's active involvement in safeguarding His faithful. Secondly, it highlights **Covenant Blessings and Fulfillment**, presenting long life and salvation as direct outcomes of a trusting relationship with God, echoing promises found in the Pentateuch, such as those in [Deuteronomy 30:20](/deuteronomy/30-20 "Deuteronomy 30:20 - Choose Life"). Thirdly, the verse speaks to **Ultimate Satisfaction and Wholeness**, implying a life not merely extended but deeply enriched and fulfilled by God's presence, resonating with the concept of abundant life seen elsewhere, for instance, in [Proverbs 3:1-2](/proverbs/3-1 "Proverbs 3:1-2 - Wisdom and Long Life"). Finally, it emphasizes the **Comprehensive Nature of God's Salvation**, encompassing both temporal deliverance and a deeper, spiritual revelation of His saving power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satisfy (Hebrew, _śāḇaʿ_):** This verb means to be full, to have enough, to be satiated or content. It goes beyond merely providing sustenance; it implies a deep, abiding fulfillment and contentment that comes from God. It suggests a life where all needs are met, and desires are fulfilled, not in a superficial way, but in a profound, soul-satisfying manner.
* **Long life (Hebrew, _ʾōreḵ yāmîm_):** Literally "length of days." This phrase denotes not just extended chronological existence but a life that is full, complete, and blessed by God. In ancient Israel, longevity was often seen as a sign of divine favor and a reward for righteousness, signifying a life free from premature death due to judgment or calamity. It speaks to a full measure of days lived under God's watchful and benevolent care.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yəšûʿâ_):** This rich and multifaceted noun refers to deliverance, rescue, help, victory, and well-being. It encompasses both physical deliverance from danger and spiritual redemption. In the context of Psalms 91, it includes God's active intervention to save from pestilence, war, and harm, but also points to a more profound, comprehensive saving work that God reveals to His people. This word is foundational to the biblical understanding of God as the ultimate deliverer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"With long life will I satisfy him":** This clause presents God's promise of a full and complete life, not merely in terms of years, but in terms of divine contentment and fulfillment. The "long life" is not just an extension of existence but a life deeply enriched and made whole by God's presence and provision. The verb "satisfy" emphasizes that God will meet the deepest needs and longings of the faithful, bringing a profound sense of peace and completeness.
* **"and shew him my salvation":** This second clause complements the first by promising a revelation of God's saving power. "Shew" (or "make him see") implies an active demonstration and experience of God's deliverance. This salvation is comprehensive, encompassing rescue from immediate dangers, spiritual deliverance, and the ultimate experience of God's redemptive work. It assures the believer that God's saving acts will be evident and personally experienced in their life, culminating in ultimate deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 91:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound promise. The most prominent is **Personification**, as God Himself speaks directly in the first person ("I will satisfy him," "I will shew him"), lending immense authority and intimacy to the promise. This direct divine address elevates the concluding verses of the psalm to a climactic oracle. There is also a strong sense of **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and shew him my salvation") expands upon and completes the thought of the first ("With long life will I satisfy him"). While not strictly synonymous, the concepts of "satisfaction" through "long life" and the revelation of "salvation" are intricately linked as comprehensive blessings. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Climax** for the entire psalm, providing the ultimate assurance and culmination of all the preceding promises of divine protection and care.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 91:16 stands as a powerful theological statement about God's character and His relationship with the faithful. It underscores the biblical theme of divine recompense and blessing for those who trust and obey Him, aligning with the covenantal promises found throughout the Old Testament. The promise of "long life" connects to the concept of shalom—wholeness, peace, and prosperity—which is a holistic blessing from God that encompasses physical, material, and spiritual well-being. "My salvation" points to God as the ultimate source of deliverance, not just from immediate dangers but from all that opposes human flourishing and divine purpose. This verse affirms God's active involvement in the lives of His people, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises and His desire to bring them to a state of complete satisfaction and ultimate redemption.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life and Blessings")
* [Proverbs 3:1](/proverbs/3-1 "Proverbs 3:1-2 - Wisdom, Long Life, and Peace")
* [Isaiah 33:22](/isaiah/33-22 "Isaiah 33:22 - The Lord Our Judge, Lawgiver, King, and Savior")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 91:16 offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers in every age. It invites us to rest in the unwavering assurance that God's promises are not empty words but divine commitments to those who truly dwell in His secret place. The "long life" promised here transcends mere chronological existence; it speaks to a life lived fully, purposefully, and deeply satisfied by God's presence, free from the anxieties and fears that plague the world. This satisfaction is not found in material possessions or worldly achievements but in the profound contentment that comes from knowing and experiencing God's comprehensive salvation. For us today, it calls us to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God, recognizing that His desire is not just to protect us from harm but to lead us into a life of ultimate fulfillment and to reveal His saving power in ways that transform our present and secure our eternal future. It challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and embrace the long-term, satisfying vision God has for our lives, knowing that His salvation is both immediate and ultimate.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of "satisfaction" in this verse challenge your understanding of true contentment?**
* **In what ways have you personally experienced God "shewing" you His salvation, both in physical deliverance and spiritual redemption?**
* **What does it mean for you to "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" in practical, daily terms, in light of these promises?**

### FAQ
**Does "long life" in Psalms 91:16 guarantee a specific number of years for believers?**

Answer: While "long life" (Hebrew: _ʾōreḵ yāmîm_) in the Old Testament often referred to physical longevity and was seen as a blessing, it's crucial to understand it within the broader context of God's holistic provision and the psalm's overall message. It doesn't guarantee a specific number of years for every individual believer, as many faithful people throughout history have experienced shorter lives. Instead, it speaks to a life that is full, complete, and deeply satisfied by God, free from premature or tragic ends due to divine judgment or unfaithfulness. It signifies a life lived to its appointed measure under God's blessing, where one experiences the fullness of His presence and purpose. Ultimately, in the New Testament, this promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the eternal life offered through Christ, which transcends temporal limitations, as seen in [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God").

**What is the "salvation" God promises to "shew" in this verse?**

Answer: The "salvation" (Hebrew: _yəšûʿâ_) promised by God in Psalms 91:16 is comprehensive and multifaceted. In the immediate context of Psalms 91, it refers to God's deliverance from various dangers—pestilence, war, terror, and physical harm—as described throughout the psalm. It signifies God's active intervention to rescue and protect His faithful ones. However, the term also carries a deeper, spiritual meaning, encompassing God's broader redemptive work. It points to the ultimate deliverance from sin and death, and the restoration of a right relationship with God. This dual nature of salvation—both temporal and eternal—is a consistent theme in Scripture, foreshadowing the ultimate salvation revealed in Jesus Christ, who is Himself the embodiment of God's saving power, as proclaimed in [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name").

**How does this verse relate to the idea of God's "satisfaction" for His people?**

Answer: The promise "With long life will I satisfy him" speaks to a profound level of contentment and fulfillment that only God can provide. The Hebrew word for "satisfy" (_śāḇaʿ_) implies being full, satiated, and having all needs met. This isn't merely about physical sustenance, but a deep, soul-level satisfaction that comes from dwelling in God's presence and experiencing His abundant blessings. It suggests a life where one's deepest longings are met by divine provision and purpose, leading to a sense of completeness and peace that the world cannot offer. This concept is beautifully echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of giving an abundant life that truly satisfies, as found in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 91:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "long life" promised by God, while holding temporal significance, points ultimately to the eternal life and abundant existence found in Christ. He is the one who declares, "[I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life")" (John 10:10), offering a quality of life that transcends mere longevity and provides ultimate satisfaction for the soul. More significantly, the promise to "shew him my salvation" is perfectly embodied in Jesus, whose very name, _Yeshua_, means "Yahweh is salvation." He is God's ultimate revelation of salvation, not merely from physical dangers, but from the power of sin and death itself. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ provides the comprehensive deliverance that Psalms 91:16 anticipates, offering reconciliation with God and the promise of eternal glory. Believers in Christ experience the fullness of God's satisfaction and the complete revelation of His saving power, both in this life and in the life to come, for "[there is salvation in no one else](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")" (Acts 4:12), and "[God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")" (John 3:16). Thus, the ancient promise of Psalms 91:16 culminates in the person and work of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and grants true, everlasting satisfaction and salvation.

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

Proverbs 3:2

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Proverbs 3:16

Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.

Psalms 21:4

He asked life of thee, [and] thou gavest [it] him, [even] length of days for ever and ever.

Psalms 50:23

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of God.

Deuteronomy 6:2

That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Isaiah 65:20

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed.

Isaiah 65:22

They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree [are] the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.