Psalms 91:16 — Word Study
WLCאֹ֣רֶךְ יָ֭מִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝אַרְאֵ֗הוּ בִּֽישׁוּעָתִֽי׃
BSAWith longʼôrek lifeyôwm [a lengthy and fulfilling span of days, length of days] I will satisfy himsâbaʻ▸ [fill to the full, reward] and show himrâʼâh▸ [cause to see, reveal] My salvationyᵉshûwʻâh [deliverance, victory, yeshua]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֹ֣רֶךְ | length of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| יָ֭מִים | days | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| אַשְׂבִּיעֵ֑הוּ | I will satisfy him | Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| וְ֝אַרְאֵ֗הוּ | and I will let look him | Conjunction, verb hiphil first person common singular, suffix |
| בִּֽישׁוּעָתִֽי׃ | on salvation my | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” |
| KJV | With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. |
| ASV | With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation. |
| YLT | With length of days I satisfy him, And I cause him to look on My salvation! |
| WEB | I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.” |
| BBE | With long life will he be rewarded; and I will let him see my salvation. |
All translations agree on the meaning of the key terms in this verse.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase, emphasizing the promises made by God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 91:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Promises of Protectiongenerated
Psalm 91:16 is part of a passage where God assures His faithful followers of His protection and deliverance. The preceding verses highlight God's commitment to those who love Him, promising safety and honor in times of trouble. This verse encapsulates the culmination of these promises, emphasizing the blessings of a long life and the revelation of His salvation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 21:4 | He asked You for life, and You granted it— length of days, forever and ever. |
| 2 | Genesis 25:8 | And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people. |
| 3 | Job 5:26 | You will come to the grave in full vigor, like a sheaf of grain gathered in season. |
| 4 | Proverbs 3:2–16 | for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life. |
| 5 | Proverbs 22:4 | The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֹרֶךְ, 'O.rekhgenerated
The word אֹרֶךְ ('orek) means 'length' and can refer to both physical length and duration of time. It implies a long period, encompassing patience and self-restraint, suggesting a fulfilling life.
The parsing indicates that it is a masculine singular noun in construct form, linking it directly to the word for 'days' that follows, יָמִים (yamim), creating a phrase that emphasizes the concept of a lengthy span of days.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of אֹרֶךְ as 'long' or 'length of' in relation to life.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb אַשְׂבִּיעֵ֑הוּ (asbi'ehu, 'I will satisfy him') governs the main clause, with a noun phrase indicating the object of satisfaction and a prepositional phrase describing what is shown to him.
The structure highlights the promise of satisfaction and revelation, with the emphasis on God's active role in fulfilling these commitments.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֹרֶךְ as μακρότητα (makrotēta), which conveys a similar meaning of length or duration, indicating a consistent understanding of the term across both Hebrew and Greek texts.
This choice reflects a focus on the enduring aspect of life, aligning with the promise of satisfaction and salvation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 91:16 tells us that God promises a long and fulfilling life to those who love Him, along with the assurance of His salvation. This verse concludes a series of divine promises about protection and care, emphasizing God's commitment to His faithful followers.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
A long life refers to a fulfilling and extended period of existence, often associated with God's blessings and favor.
God shows His salvation through deliverance from troubles and the assurance of victory in life, as well as spiritual salvation.
This phrase indicates God's promise to fulfill the needs and desires of those who are faithful to Him, providing them with abundance.
This verse encapsulates God's promises of protection and blessings, reassuring believers of His commitment to their well-being.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's satisfaction and blessings in my life?
- How can I seek to understand and appreciate God's salvation more deeply?
- What does a long and fulfilling life look like to me in the context of my faith?
- How can I share the assurance of God's promises with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, interpreting it to mean eternal life as part of God's promise to His faithful followers.
"With length of days will I satisfy him" [Psalms 91:16]. What is length of days? Eternal life.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 91 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 91:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWith long life will I satisfy him,.... In this world: the saints live in it as long as they choose to live; and when they come to die, be it when it will, they are, like Abraham, full of years, or
Read John Gill on Psalms 91 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWith long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. With long life will I satisfy him - literally, 'with length of days.' The promise belongs to Christ and Christ's people in its ulterior sense. Psalms 21:4.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 91 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWith long life will I satisfy him; either in this world, when it is expedient for my service, and for his benefit; or, at least, in the next world, where he shall live to eternity in the blissful sight and enjoyment of God in glory. Show him my salvation, either here or hereafter.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 91 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.Ver. 16. With long life, &c.] He shall have enough of this life present even to a satiety, and heaven in the end. The Hebrews call this psalm Canticum de accidentibus. When Beza came first to the Reformed Church he found them singing this psalm, and was greatly encouraged.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 91 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Long Life.—The promise of a long life, while in accordance with the general feeling of the Old Testament, is peculiarly appropriate at the close of this psalm, which all through speaks of protection from danger that threatened life.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 91 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. With long life] Literally, With length of days will I fill him up. He shall neither live a useless life, nor die before his time. He shall live happy and die happy. And show him my salvation.] ואראהו בשועתי vearehu bishuathi, "I will make him see (or contemplate) in my salvation." He shall discover infinite lengths, breadths, depths, and heights, in my salvation. He shall feel boundless desires, and shall discover that I have provided boundless gratifications for them. He shall dwell in my glory, and throughout eternity increase in his resemblance to and enjoyment of me. Thus shall it be done to the man whom the Lord delighteth to honour; and he delights to honour that man who…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 91 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9–16. Renewed assurances of Divine protection, ratified by a Divine promise.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 91 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWith long life will I satisfy him - The margin here, is “length of days;” that is, days lengthened out or multiplied.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 91 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”
With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation.
Tyndale line
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
With long life wil I satisfie him, and shew him my saluation.
Strictly literal
With length of days will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
With length of days I satisfy him, And I cause him to look on My salvation!
I satisfy him with [the] length of [his] days, || And I cause him to look on My salvation!
With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will let him see my salvation.
I will satisfy him with long life and show him my salvation.
From the Latin
That they may shew, That the Lord our God is righteous, and there is no iniquity in him.
Simplified
I will grant them long lives, and show them my salvation.
With long life will he be rewarded; and I will let him see my salvation.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with all five words matched in the Hebrew and Greek translations. This consistency reinforces the reliability of the text.
אֹ֣רֶךְ יָ֭מִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝אַרְאֵ֗הוּ בִּֽישׁוּעָתִֽי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 91:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֹ֫רֶךְ (orek) means 'length' and can refer to physical length or duration of time. It also encompasses concepts of forbearance and self-restraint, particularly in the context of patience. The word is derived from a root associated with the idea of length, as noted in Strong's entries.
אֹ֫רֶךְ 94 n.[m.] length
length
of time
forbearance, self-restraint
base
H753 אֹ֫רֶךְ length
753 'orek o'rek'
from 748; length:--+ forever, length, long.
see HEBREW for 0748
אֹ֫רֶךְ (o.rekh) — length.
1) length
1a) physical length
1b) of time
2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
שָׂבֵעַ (saba`) means to be sated or satisfied, particularly in relation to food. It can also imply having one's desires fulfilled or being surfeited with excess. The verb has various forms, including Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which cover meanings from simply being full to enriching or satisfying others. The entries indicate a focus on both literal and figurative senses of satisfaction.
[שָׂבֵעַ], שָׂבַע 96 vb. be sated, satisfied, surfeited
Qal 79
be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
have in excess, be surfeited with
Niph. Pt. sated
Pi. satisfy
Hiph.
satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
c. acc. of food pers., י׳ subj.
י׳ subj.
י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
enrich
sate, glut (with the undesired)
base
H7646 שָׂבֵעַ, שָׂבַע be sated, satisfied, surfeited .. be sated (with food), esp. human subj.
. more gen., be sated, have desire satisfied
. have in excess, be surfeited with
. Pt. sated
. satisfy
. . . satisfy (esp. with material blessings), subj. י׳
. c. acc. of food + pers., י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj.
. י׳ subj., c. acc. of beasts
. enrich
. sate, glut (with the undesired)
7646 saba` saw-bah'
or sabeay {saw-bay'-ah}; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. fill
to satisfaction (literally or figuratively):--have enough,
fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty
of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.
שָׂבֵעַ (sa.va) — to satisfy.
1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be sated (with food)
1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied)
1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with
1a3a) to be weary of (fig)
1b) (Piel) to satisfy
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to satisfy
1c2) to enrich
1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVhi1cs/Sp3ms
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Conjunction · verb hiphil first person common singular · suffixHC/Vhu1cs/Sp3ms
יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah) refers to concepts of salvation, deliverance, and welfare, often with a spiritual dimension. It is derived from a root meaning to save and encompasses ideas of victory and prosperity. The term is used in contexts related to divine aid and protection, emphasizing both physical and spiritual deliverance.
יְשׁוּעָה n.f. salvation
welfare, prosperity
deliverance
salvation by God, primarily from external evils, but often with added spiritual idea
victory
base
H3444 יְשׁוּעָה salvation . welfare, prosperity
. deliverance
. salvation by God, primarily from external evils, but often with added spiritual idea
. victory
3444 yshuw`ah yesh-oo'-aw
feminine passive participle of 3467; something saved, i.e.
(abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory,
prosperity:--deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save,
saving (health), welfare.
see HEBREW for 03467
יְשׁוּעָה (ye.shu.ah) — salvation.
1) salvation, deliverance
1a) welfare, prosperity
1b) deliverance
1c) salvation (by God)
1d) victory
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs