And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.

PSALMS 104:15KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 104:15 (KJV)

What does Psalms 104:15 mean?

Psalms 104:15 describes how God provides for people by giving them wine to gladden their hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread to give them strength. The verse highlights God’s care in supplying not just what is necessary for survival, but also what brings joy and well-being.

In this psalm, the writer is praising God for His creation and the way He sustains life on earth. The verse uses everyday items—wine, oil, and bread—as examples of God’s generosity and attention to human needs. The focus is on the goodness of God in providing both practical necessities and things that bring happiness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 104:15

  • יַיִן (yayin, "wine"): This word refers to fermented grape juice, commonly enjoyed in ancient Israel. Its mention here points to celebration and gladness, not just basic sustenance.
  • שָׂמַח (samach, "glad"): The verb means to rejoice or be glad. The verse connects wine with making the "heart" (לֵבָב, levav) glad, showing that God’s gifts touch both body and spirit.
  • שֶׁמֶן (shemen, "oil"): Olive oil was used for anointing and as a cosmetic, making the face shine. This suggests refreshment and honor, not just cooking or fuel.
  • לֶחֶם (lechem, "bread"): Bread stands for basic food and strength. The phrase "which strengtheneth man's heart" uses bread as a symbol for what keeps people going day by day.

Why Psalms 104:15 matters

  • Psalms 104:15 shows that God’s care includes both physical needs and things that bring happiness, not just bare necessities.
  • The verse is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God’s ongoing involvement in creation, reminding readers that everyday blessings are part of His design.
  • By naming wine, oil, and bread, the verse connects spiritual praise with ordinary life, helping readers see God’s hand in daily experiences.

Where else these words appear

“shine” Hebrew H6670 · used in 9 verses

  • Esther 8:15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
  • Isaiah 12:6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
  • Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.

“strengtheneth” Hebrew H5582 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
  • 1 Kings 13:7 And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.
  • Psalms 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
  • Isaiah 24:9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

“glad” Hebrew H8055 · used in 145 verses

  • Exodus 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
  • Psalms 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
  • Proverbs 17:21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.