Psalm 90:14-17

Psalm 90:14-17
Narrative Lectionary 323

BibleHub

14 SatisfyA us in the morningB with your steadfast love,C
    so that we may rejoiceD and be gladE all our days.

Notes on verse 14

A “satisfy” = saba. To be satisfied or full in a literal or figurative sense. Also, to have plenty of.
B “morning” = boqer. From baqar (to seek, plow, break forth, admire, care for). This refers to the break of day. So it is dawn, early, morning, or morrow.
C “steadfast love” = chesed. From chasad (being good, kind, merciful; may mean bowing one’s neck as is done in the presence of an equal for courtesy’s sake; so, if one in a superior position is treating you like an equal, that is what is captured here). This is favor, goodness, kindness, loving kindness, pity, reproach, or a good deed. When done by God to humanity, this is mercy/loving kindness. When done by humanity to God, it is piety.
D “rejoice” = ranan. This is a cry of joy or a joyful song. Properly, it is emitting a shrill sound, especially one of joy.
E “be glad” = samach. This is to rejoice or be glad. Properly, it is to brighten up in a literal or figurative sense.

15 Make us glad as many days as you have afflictedF us,
    and as many years as we have seenG evil.H

Notes on verse 15

F “afflicted” = anah. This is to be bowed down. It can refer to a sense of humility or to a sense of being browbeaten, oppressed, afflicted, or depressed. This can be literal or figurative – depressed in mood or circumstance.
G “seen” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
H “evil” = ra’. From ra’a’ (to be evil, bad, afflict; properly, to spoil – to destroy by breaking into pieces; figuratively, to cause something to be worthless; this is bad in a physical, social, or moral sense; that which displeases, to do harm or mischief, to punish or vex). This is bad, disagreeable, that which causes pain, misery, something having little or no value, something that is ethically bad, wicked, injury, calamity. This refers to anything that is not what it ought to be – a natural disaster, a disfigurement, an injury, a sin.

16 Let your workI be manifestJ to your servants,K
    and your glorious powerL to their children.M

Notes on verse 16

I “work” = poal. From paal (to do, make, work, or accomplish; generally refers to regularly repeated or systematic action – to practice). This is an action or deed, conduct. It is the act of working or the work itself. It can also be wages or maker.
J “be manifest” = raah. Same as “seen” in v15. See note G above.
K “servants” = ebed. From abad (to work, serve, compel; any kind of work; used causatively, can mean to enslave or keep in bondage). This is a servant, slave, or bondservant.
L “glorious power” = hadar. From hadar (to honor or adorn; majestic, respected, glorious; to favor or honor; to be proud). This is ornament, splendor, beauty, dignity, majesty, magnificence, and glory.
M “children” = ben. This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense.

17 Let the favorN of the LordO our GodP be upon us,

Notes on verse 17a

N “favor” = noam. 7x in OT. From naem (to be pleasant, beautiful, sweet, or agreeable in a literal or figurative sense) This is pleasantness, beauty, favor, agreeableness, delight, splendor, or grace.
O “Lord” = Adonai. From adon (lord, master, owner); root means to rule or be sovereign. This is the actual Hebrew word for Lord used (in a different form) of humans and (in the present form) of God. It means someone who is in control.
P “God” = Elohim.

    and prosperQ for us the workR of our handsS
    O prosper the workT of our hands!

Notes on verse 17b

Q “prosper” = kun. Properly, this means in a perpendicular position. So, it is set up in a literal sense – establish, fix, fasten, prepare. In a figurative sense, it is certainty, to be firm, faithfulness, render sure or prosperous.
R “work” = maaseh. From asah (to do, make, accomplish, become). This is a word – any action whether positive or negative. It can also be a transaction, construction, activity, property, or something that is produced.
S “hands” = yad. This is hand, ability, power. Hand in a literal sense, but also what one can do or the means by which one does it.
T “work” = maaseh. Same as “work” in v17. See note R above.


Image credit: “My Father and Alina in Masada” by Avi Flax, 2005.

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply