Psalm 145:16 (NET Bible): "You open your hand, and fill every living thing with the food it desires."
I've often wondered whether this psalm is teaching that Jehovah already opens his hand to satisfy our (proper) desires now, or does this verse have a strict future application? Or does the verse teach us both things?
Reuven Kimelman offers this explanation for Psalm 145: "By stanza IV (lines 14-20), we see a deliberate shift from cosmic ruler to daily nourisher."
See Kimelman, "Psalm 145: Theme, Structure, and Impact," JBL 113.1: (Spring 1994), 37-58.
I suggest reading the entrire article, but the main point is that Kimelman applies Psalm 145:16 to God's daily activity as a merciful nourisher of his creation. Compare Psalm 104:13, 28; 145:15, 19.
See Estes, Daniel J. Psalms 73-150. New American Commentary, vol. 13. Nashville, TN: B & H, 2019.
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Psalm 145:16--When Is It Applicable?
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4 comments:
I think its a bit more complicated than that (but that's nothing new):-
https://biblehub.com/text/psalms/145-15.htm
https://biblehub.com/text/psalms/145-16.htm
With regard to "food" and "desire".
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/ratzon_7522.htm
NIV of 15:- The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
Spiritual or physical?
Like many verses, we can probably find many things to dwell on, and I'm not denying that Psalm 145 has its own complexities. However, I was only concentrating on a certain aspect of the passage regarding how it should be applied and I've wondered if spiritual, physical food/desire is under discussion or both. Thanks for your input.
I think a verse like John 6:51 can color our perception of OT verses. But I posted not too long ago the opinion of one historian regarding first century temple worship being perceived by most agriculturalist as necessary for a good harvest. How Torah with its seasonal celebrations and food teachings dictated the means of life, so the boundaries are definitely blurred.
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