Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 90:14
O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
14. O satisfy us in the morning with thy lovingkindness] Israel is still in the night of trouble. O may the dawn soon come! Cp. Psa 30:5; Psa 49:14; Psa 143:8.
that we may rejoice ] Or, shout for joy, as Psa 5:11, and often.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
O satisfy us early with thy mercy – literally, In the morning; as soon as the day dawns. Perhaps there is an allusion here to their affliction, represented as night; and the prayer is, that the morning – the morning of mercy and joy – might again dawn upon them.
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days – All the remainder of our lives. That the memory of thy gracious interposition may go with us to the grave.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 90:14
O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
An early interest in Gods mercy essential to a happy life
1. That a man may live happily, that he may rejoice and be glad all his days, it is necessary that he should be early freed from all fears of death. Will it be said, he may refuse to think of death? I answer, he cannot always banish this subject from his thoughts in a world like this, where so many things occur which are suited to remind him of it. But from this cause of unhappiness, the man who early obtains satisfactory evidence that he is a subject of Gods pardoning mercy, is entirely free.
2. That a man may rejoice and be glad all his days, it is necessary that he should be freed in early life from a guilty conscience, and from apprehensions of Gods displeasure. But from these causes of unhappiness the man who is early satisfied with Gods pardoning mercy is free. He enjoys peace of conscience and peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. To render a man happy during the whole progress of life, it is necessary that he should be early freed from care nd anxiety, and especially from apprehensions of losing what he most loves. But it is impossible that an unpardoned sinner should feel perfectly safe, or that he should be free from care, anxiety, and apprehension.
4. That a man may rejoice and be glad all his days, he must early learn, in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content. A discontented man is, of course, an unhappy man. But it is impossible that an unconverted sinner should be otherwise than discontented. While the soul is empty it cannot but feel uneasy, dissatisfied, discontented. But far different is the situation of one who is satisfied early with Gods mercy. What the sinner seeks in vain he has found. The light which sheds its radiance on his ath is furnished, not by lamps, but by the sun, a sun which never sets. The water which quenches his spirit flows, not from broken cisterns, but from the inexhaustible fountain of living waters.
5. That a man may rejoice and be glad all his days, it is absolutely necessary that he should early obtain the mastery of his appetites and passions, and be secured against the evils into which they would lead him. And no young man can have any security that he shall not be left to form such habits, unless he obtains that security which is afforded by Gods sanetifying grace and pardoning mercy. Presume not then, young man, upon thine own strength. Where so many others have fallen, thou mayest fall. Against such a fall thou canst have no security until thou obtainest the protection of God. Let Him hold thee up, and then, and then only, wilt thou be safe. This safety is enjoyed by all who are satisfied early with His mercy. (E. Payson, D.D.)
Abiding satisfaction
The text sets before us–
I. That which alone can satisfy the soul.
II. When that satisfaction ought to be sought. Oh, to seek it early! how much easier it is, how much more reasonable and according to the order of things, than to neglect it. Let not the frivolities, and the fooishnesses, and the delusions, and the day-dreams of life, cheat you of the one great thing.
III. The blessed results of that satisfaction, if sought and found. The very design of the Gospel is to restore the human race to happiness, and glory, and immortality. (H. Stowell, M.A.)
The prayer and the plea
I. The prayer.
1. The kind of blessing sought. Thy mercy.
2. The measure of it. Satisfy us. I never knew a scholar who had so much learning that he did not wish any more; or a rich man who was so rich, that he wanted no more wealth; or a man of the world who had had so many pleasures, that he had no desire for more; or one who was so well off, that he was in every respect thoroughly content. There is always a craving for something that we have not. We never can say, It is enough! There is just one thing that will fill any heart, and that is, Gods mercy. When a man has got that, he can say, with Paul, I have all, and abound.
3. The time of it. Early–in the morning. This is the very prayer for young people. They may be said to be in the morning of life. You can never ask or get the blessing too early–too soon.
II. The plea. That we may rejoice and be glad all our days. The reason given in support of the prayer is, that it would make those who offer it happy and glad, then and ever after. That would be no plea with a stranger, but it would be with a father. We have here the secret of true happiness. Many would put it differently–That we may be good and holy all our days; or, That we may do what is right, and please Thee all our days. That is all very good, and one may pray that too, but mark this–the plea is, that we may rejoice and be glad, as if joy and gladness could not be got in any other way. The sooner you experience the mercy of God, the sooner will you be truly happy and glad.
1. It will give present joy and happiness. John Bunyan was so overjoyed when he first found mercy that he could hardly contain himself, and tells us that as he went along the road, he could have told the very crows on the ploughed land what God had done for him, and how glad and happy he was, now that he was a pardoned man.
2. It will give future joy and happiness. All our days. When a child has got a new toy, at first it is everything to him; he is overjoyed about it, but soon he tires of it, and lets it fall out of sight, and seeks something else. But Gods mercy makes a man glad all his days. The gladdest hour of his life may be when he first finds it, but his peace is like a river, and flows on from day to day. And then, when the end comes, it is best of all: all our days,–not only here, but hereafter,–and that is the great thing. (J. H. Wilson, D.D.)
Satisfaction
I. The deepest yearning of man is for satisfaction. O satisfy us. That is everywhere and evermore the cry of humanity. And what a strange cry it is, when you think of it. Man is the offspring of God; the bearer of His image; he stands at the head of the terrestrial creation; he possesses wondrous capacities of thought, and feeling, and action. The world, and all that is in it, has been formed in a complete and beautiful adaptation to his being. Nature seems to be ever calling to him with a thousand voices, to be glad and rejoice; and yet he is unsatisfied.
II. Satisfaction can only be found in the realization of Divine mercy.
1. Divine mercy is that which meets mans greatest need–the need of pardon for sin.
2. Divine mercy brings all other blessings in its train. Pardon with Him is meant just to put us into a condition, legally, in which He can lavish upon us all the wealth of blessing that He possesses. It is one link only in a chain of benefits, reaching from the moment when it is bestowed right on through the ceaseless cycles of an eternity to come. He gives him a new heart; He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in him; He sanctifies, and gradually makes him meet for heaven.
3. Divine mercy is a permanent good–it endures. The blessings which it involves are eternal in their nature. You cannot affirm this of any other gifts.
III. Divine mercy is to be sought by prayer. How easy, suitable, gracious is this method! (C. M. Merry.)
The young mans prayer
I. We will make our text the groundwork of a solemn pleading with young men and women to give their hearts to Christ this day.
1. The voice of wisdom reminds you in this our text that you are not pure in Gods sight, but need His mercy. Remember, then, that if you be saved in the morning of life, you will be wonderful instances of preventing mercy.
2. Salvation, if it comes to you, must not only be mercy, but it must be mercy through the Cross. Nothing else can satisfy a sinner.
3. I would press this matter of a youthful faith upon you, because you have a dissatisfaction even now. Well, then, I would have you come to Jesus, for depend upon it there is that in Him which can thoroughly satisfy you. What can you want more to satisfy your heart than love to Him? You say that not only does your heart want something, but your head. My witness is that there is in the Gospel of Christ the richest food for the brain. You get Christ as the central sun, and then every science and fact begins to revolve round about Him just as the planets travel in their perpetual circle around the central orb.
4. Our text says, O satisfy as early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. We never rejoice in the true sense of the term; we never possess solid gladness, till we are satisfied with Gods mercy. It is all a mockery and a pretence; the reality never comes to us till Gods mercy visits our heart; but after that what joy we know!
II. Take the text as your address to God. Every word here is significant.
1. O. This teaches us that the prayer is to be earnest. Dull, dead prayers, ask God to deny them. We must pray out of our very souls. The soul of our prayer must be the prayer of our soul. O satisfy us.
2. Makes it a generous prayer when you are at it. O satisfy us early! Pray for your brothers and sisters. I am sure we are verily guilty in this thing. Those that sprang from the same loins as ourselves, would to God that they were all saved with the same salvation.
3. See to it, next, that your prayer be thoroughly evangelical. O satisfy us early with Thy mercy. The prayer of the publican is the model for us all.
4. Let the prayer be put up now at once. The text says, O satisfy us early. Why not to-day? Oh that it had been done years ago! But there was time enough, you thought. There is time enough, but there is none to spare. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Early religion escapes the sequel of a lost life
There is a very interesting story told in a book of Dr. Barretts of an aged peer, a benevolent and distinguished lawyer and judge in his day. In his old age he was converted to a saving knowledge of Christ. But the story is that in his old age it was almost pitiable to see him at times. When his friends spoke brightly and cheerfully to him, he would say, I am saved, but my life is lost. He could not bring back the past, and that past stood out before him in such dark, ghastly vividness that he could not rise above the depression–he had lost his opportunity. Young men, young women, beware lest your lives are lost. True, you may come to Christ and be saved in after years; but the precious hours that are wasted now, without any serious purpose, are wasted for ever.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 14. O satisfy us early] Let us have thy mercy soon, (literally, in the morning.) Let it now shine upon us, and it shall seem as the morning of our days, and we shall exult in thee all the days of our life.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Early; speedily or seasonably, before we be utterly consumed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. earlypromptly.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
O satisfy us early with thy mercy,…. Or “grace” g; the means of grace, the God of all grace, and communion with him, Christ and his grace; things without which, souls hungry and thirsty, in a spiritual sense, cannot be satisfied; these will satisfy them, and nothing else; namely, the discoveries of the love of God, his pardoning grace and mercy, Christ and his righteousness, and the fulness of grace in him; see Ps 63:3, this grace and mercy they desire to be satisfied and filled with betimes, early, seasonably, as soon as could be, or it was fitting it should: it may be rendered “in the morning” h, which some understand literally of the beginning of the day, and so lay a foundation for joy the whole day following: some interpret it of the morning of the resurrection; with which compare
Ps 49:14 and Ps 17:15 others of the day of redemption and salvation, as Kimchi and Jarchi: it may well enough be applied to the morning of the Gospel dispensation; and Christ himself, who is “the mercy promised” unto the fathers, may be meant; “whose coming was prepared as the morning”; and satisfied such as were hungry and thirsty, weary and faint, with looking for it, Ho 6:3 The Targum is,
“satisfy us with thy goodness in the world, which is like to the morning;”
and Arama interprets it of the time of the resurrection of the dead.
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days; the love, grace, and mercy of God, his presence, and communion with him, the coming of Christ, and the blessings of grace by him, lay a solid foundation for lasting joy in the Lord’s people, who have reason always to rejoice in him; and their joy is such that no man can take from them, Php 4:4.
g “gratia tua”, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis. h “matutino Montanus”, Cocceius; so Ainsworth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) Earlyi.e., in the morning of new hope and courage after the night of affliction is spent. (See Psa. 46:5.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Early Literally, In the morning; but the word here takes the unusual sense of early, soon, as in Psa 46:5; Psa 49:14; Psa 101:8
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
DISCOURSE: 652
SATISFACTION IN GOD ALONE
Psa 90:14. O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
WE are told, on most unquestionable authority, that godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come [Note: 1Ti 4:8.]. We are further assured, that its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace [Note: Pro 3:17.]. This was the conviction of Moses, when he penned this psalm. The vanity and bitterness of sin had been deeply felt by all that generation whom he had brought out of Egypt: and here, he declared that there was no happiness but in God: he prays, O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Now, Brethren, longing as I do for the happiness of you all, both here and in the eternal world, I will shew,
I.
Where, and where alone, true satisfaction can be found
The whole world are inquiring, Who will shew us any good? And to that there is but one answer to be given; namely this: Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us [Note: Psa 4:6.]!
Satisfaction is not to be found in any earthly pursuit
[Pleasure, how diversified soever it may be, can never satisfy a rational being. Solomon drank more deeply of that cup than any other man; and, after all, pronounced it to be vanity and vexation of spirit. The same may be said of wealth and honour: they can never fill the desires and capacities of an immortal soul. As the eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing, so no man that attains the greatest eminence can be sure that he has reached the highest pinnacle of his ambition. Let him possess all that mortal man can possess, and there will be some Naboth, whose vineyard he covets; or some Mordecai, who wounds him by refusing to pay him the homage he demands ]
Nor is it to be found in any religious services which are performed with a self-righteous view
[Doubtless a self-righteous man may be gratified for a season with the notion that he has established a ground of confidence before God: but at times there will arise in his mind such thoughts as these: Have I done enough to secure for me the forgiveness of my sins, and to purchase moreover the blessedness of heaven? And, after all his labour, he will feel some secret misgivings that all is not right. He has not a standard whereby to measure his attainments, except indeed the holy Law of God: and that altogether condemns him. In this state of uncertainty he cannot contemplate death and judgment without a degree of alarm, which casts a gloom over his prospect of the eternal world, and to a certain degree embitters also his enjoyments in this present world.]
That which alone can afford solid satisfaction to the soul, is, the having obtained mercy of the Lord
[Every man is conscious that he has sinned, and must give an account of himself to the Judge of quick and dead. But, if he have fled for refuge to Christ, and embraced the salvation offered him in the Gospel, he is ready to go into the presence of his God. He knows in whom he has believed [Note: 2Ti 1:12.]; and has no doubt but that through the Redeemers righteousness he shall find acceptance with God. He will be able to say, I know that when the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved, I have an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens [Note: 2Co 5:1.]. In Christ he sees all that he can need: and, being in Christ, he is assured that there is no condemnation to him [Note: Rom 8:1.] either now or at the bar of judgment. Believing in Christ, he has peace with God, and rejoices before him with joy unspeakable and glorified [Note: 1Pe 1:8.].]
This point being ascertained, let us direct our attention to,
II.
The blessedness of those who seek it there
Mercy, once obtained from the Lord, is the richest balm of life
1.
It constitutes the chief felicity in youth
[Who is there that has sought the Lord in early life, and did not experience the benefit of that blessed employment beyond his most sanguine expectations? Nay, I will ask, Who ever spent one hour in penitential exercises, and in crying to the Lord for mercy, and did not find more satisfaction in that hour than in all the pleasures he ever enjoyed? Who does not look back to such a period, as the happiest hour of his life? I will gladly concede to every man the liberty of passing judgment on himself; and will venture to abide the verdict which every man shall give. Into whatever state of carnal pleasures such an one may have turned aside, I can have no doubt but that, in seasons of reflection, he says, Oh that it were with me as in times past! ]
2.
It renders us happy amidst all the most afflictive circumstances of life
[Every man is, sooner or later, brought into trouble: for man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. But a sense of Gods pardoning love upon his soul will more than counterbalance all his afflictions. Being justified by faith, and having peace with God, he will glory in tribulations, of whatever kind they be [Note: Rom 5:1; Rom 5:3.]. He will see his trials to be a rod in his Fathers hand [Note: Mic 6:9.]; and he will acquiesce in the dispensation, from the hope that all things shall work together for his good [Note: Rom 8:28.], and shall ultimately work out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [Note: 2Co 4:17.]. ]
3.
It administers consolation to him, even on the bed of death
[How blessed were the reflections of St. Paul when in the daily expectation of a cruel death! I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day [Note: 2Ti 4:7-8.]. Such was Jacobs consolation in his dying hour: I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord [Note: Gen 49:18.]. Yes, Brethren, a sense of Gods pardoning mercy upon the soul will take away the sting of death, and make us rather to desire that we may depart and be with Christ [Note: Php 1:23.], in the full fruition of his glory. ]
Address
1.
The young
[It is never too early to seek, and to obtain, mercy from God. We read of several who from their very infancy were sanctified unto the Lord: and why should not you be numbered amongst that highly-privileged class? You have an idea that the good things of this world, and the enjoyment of all pleasurable amusements, will make you happy. But if you will transfer this notion to spiritual things, and seek your happiness in them, I pledge myself that ye shall be satisfied to the full: for of all the ransomed of the Lord it is said, They shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd; and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness; and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord [Note: Jer 31:12-14.]. Indeed, you have a promise peculiar to yourselves: for God has said, They that seek me early, shall find me [Note: Pro 8:17.].]
2.
The busy
[I would not have any one neglect his proper occupation in life. We are as much bound to be diligent in business, as we are to be fervent in spirit: in the one, as well as in the other, we may serve the Lord [Note: Rom 12:11.]. But, in comparison, our zeal in the service of God should swallow up that which we exercise in reference to the world. Our Lord says, Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life [Note: Joh 6:27.]. I will suppose that you succeed to the utmost extent of your wishes in this world, what satisfaction will it afford you in the eternal world, if you have not secured an inheritance amongst the saints in light? There is no occupation whatever that can justify a neglect of your eternal interests. There may be other things desirable; but this a needful, yea, the one thing needful; and therefore I say, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and leave it to God to add other things to you in the measure which in his unerring wisdom he shall see fit [Note: Mat 6:33.].]
3.
Those advanced in life
[Our text has a peculiar force as it relates to you. Much of your time is gone: and what is done either by you or for you, must be done quickly. There is, indeed, no time to be lost. The work of the soul is not to be left to a dying hour. Verily, that is but an unfavourable season for such a work; and the reality of it, when commenced at that season, is always dubious. Be in earnest now. Delay not another hour. Cry mightily to God, O satisfy me early with thy mercy! Blot out my transgressions as a morning cloud: wash them away in my Redeemers blood. Bring me out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock, and establish my goings; and put a new song into my mouth, even praise unto my God [Note: Psa 40:2-3.]. Then will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name: my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate upon thee in the night-watches [Note: Psa 63:4.]. Yea, when my flesh and my heart fail, thou shalt be the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 90:14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Ver. 14. O satisfy us early ] As thou didst our fathers with manna.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
early = in the morning.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
satisfy: Psa 36:7, Psa 36:8, Psa 63:3-5, Psa 65:4, Psa 103:3-5, Jer 31:15, Zec 9:17
that we: Psa 23:6, Psa 85:6, Psa 86:4, Psa 149:2, Phi 4:4
Reciprocal: Deu 33:23 – O Psa 13:1 – How Pro 19:20 – be Pro 19:23 – shall abide Mic 7:19 – turn