Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 107:9
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
9. Because he satisfied the longing soul,
And the hungry soul he filled with good.
The words refer to the particular case of those who were perishing with hunger and thirst, and do not, primarily at any rate, express a general truth, as the A.V. suggests. The language is derived from Jer 31:25; Isa 29:8 (A.V. ‘his soul hath appetite’); Psa 58:10-11; and Luk 1:53 is a reminiscence of this verse.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For he satisfieth the longing soul – This does not mean – what is indeed true in itself – that God has made provision for the soul of man, and satisfies it when it longs or pants for its needed supply, but the reference is to the creatures of God – the living things that he has made; and the idea is, that he has made provision for their needs. He gives them food and drink, so that their needs are met. The particular reference here, however, in the word rendered longing is to thirst, as contradistinguished from the other member of the verse, where the reference is to hunger. So the word is used in Isa 29:8.
And filleth the hungry soul with goodness – Supplies the needs of the hungry with good; that is, with that which is good for it; which meets its needs, and imparts strength and happiness.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 107:9
For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
The longing soul satisfied
I. The source of true satisfaction is God.
1. The soul being made in His image has infinite yearnings which nothing finite can satisfy, and powers which can only find their due exercise in Divine worship and service.
2. The soul is fallen and therefore has need of restoration which nothing finite can accomplish.
II. The recipients of true satisfaction. Longing souls–men and women who realize their celestial origin. In time past, they may have turned to the world for satisfaction, they may have hewn them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water, but now they seek to slake their thirst from the fountain of living waters (Jer 2:13). They may in the past have been among the dissatisfied, saying, Who will show us any good? (Psa 4:6). Now they know that blessedness consists in having the light of the Divine countenance shining upon them.
III. The condition of true satisfaction. Obedience. The obedience which springs from filial trust and submission to the will of God. To those who hearkened to the Divine commandments the promise is (Isa 48:18). They shall be Gods people, and He shall be their God. God for them, and with them, and in them shall be a source of perfect and eternal satisfaction. (H. P. Wright, B. A.)
A longing soul satisfied
I. What is implied in a longing or hungry soul.
1. That it wants something which it has not got. Pardon, peace, purity, God.
2. That it wants something which it cannot provide for itself.
3. That the want of this something unsettles and makes it discontented.
II. What is the satisfaction which God gives to the longing or hungry soul. The gifts of God to the soul, of pardon, health, and life, are its coronation; its honour and glory; its satisfaction. Beyond this it cannot go on earth. This is being filled and satisfied with goodness. (Anon.)
The souls thirst and satisfaction
(with Psa 143:6):–Man has a threefold nature–physical, mental, and spiritual. The soul is the nobler part of man, and needs a nobler satisfaction than the body.
I. The souls thirst.
1. The soul comes from God, and its happiness is inseparably connected with obedience to the Divine will.
2. It is immortal.
3. It was made for God, in whom alone can it find true satisfaction.
4. It needs God, His smile, favour, and companionship.
5. How do men try to gratify this desire of the soul?
(1) Some force the body to do double work to make up for the lack of spiritual food. But the body resists excess. Man was made to be something nobler than a mere eating and drinking apparatus.
(2) Some with money–business. But the man who thought fifty pounds would give him complete satisfaction was unsatisfied with five hundred. Man should be better than a money-making machine, a slave to business.
(3) Some with worldly pleasure, drinking constantly at the wells of worldly bliss, which only increases their thirst. You may as well strive to catch the east wind as try to satisfy immortal hunger with sensual pleasures.
II. The souls satisfaction.
1. The world can stimulate and excite, but cannot give rest.
2. How may the soul be satisfied?
(1) In being at peace with God (Rom 5:11).
(2) In mutual sympathy, reciprocal affection.
(3) In regeneration, sanctification, moral likeness to God.
(4) In doing Gods will. To do the will of Jesus: this is rest.
(5) In constant communion with God. Through Christ we have access by the Spirit unto the Father. (C. Cross.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 9. For he satisfieth the longing soul] This is the reason which the psalmist gives for the duty of thankfulness which he prescribes. The longing soul, nephesh shokekah, the soul that pushes forward in eager desire after salvation.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The longing; either the thirsty, opposed to the hungry here following; or the hungry, as this general phrase is limited and expounded in the next clause.
With goodness; with the fruits of his goodness; with good things, Psa 103:5; with food and gladness, Act 14:17; with that good which they wanted and desired.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For he satisfieth the longing soul,…. The soul that is hungry and thirsty, and longs for food and drink, when nature in such circumstances craves. And so such who long for Christ and his grace, for an interest in him, and fellowship with him, the Lord satisfies with these things, as with marrow and fatness.
And filleth the hungry soul with goodness; with the goodness and fatness of his house; with good things; with the good things laid up in Christ and in the covenant; with the good things of the Gospel; with the grace and goodness of God in Christ; see Ps 65:4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(9) Longing soul.Or, thirsty, as in Isa. 29:8. (Comp. Psa. 107:5.) The word originally applies to an animal running up and down in search of food or water. (See Joe. 2:9; Pro. 28:15.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Ver. 9. For he satisfieth the longing soul, &c. ] This as a recapitulation of the first part, Psa 107:5-7 , and setteth forth the reason why the redeemed should praise God out of the sweet experience they have had of his wonderful providence and goodness toward them.
And filleth the hungry soul with goodness
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
filleth the hungry soul. Quoted in Luk 1:53.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 34:10, Psa 132:15, Psa 146:7, Isa 55:1-3, Jer 31:14, Jer 31:25, Mat 5:6, Luk 1:53, Rev 7:16, Rev 7:17
Reciprocal: Deu 12:20 – I will Psa 103:5 – satisfieth Psa 145:16 – openest Mat 15:37 – all Mar 8:8 – and were Luk 6:21 – for ye shall be Luk 9:17 – were