The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

PSALMS 145:15KJV
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What does Psalms 145:15 mean?

Psalms 145:15 says that all living things look to God, trusting Him to provide what they need at the right time. The verse pictures every creature as waiting expectantly for God to give them their food when it is due.

King David is speaking in this psalm, praising God’s care and generosity. The verse fits into a larger section where David describes God’s kindness to all creation, not just to people but to every living thing. The focus here is on God as the provider, someone who is attentive and timely in meeting the needs of all life.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 145:15

  • "eyes" (עַיִן, ʿayin): This word refers to literal eyes, but here it is a picture of looking with hope or expectation. It emphasizes that all creatures are watching God, depending on Him.
  • "wait" (שָׂבַע, sabar): This word often means to look with hope or to wait expectantly. It is not just passive waiting, but a sense of trust that God will act.
  • "givest" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to give or provide. The verse highlights God’s active role in supplying what is needed.
  • "meat" (אֹכֶל, okhel): This word means food or what is eaten, not just meat as in animal flesh. It covers all kinds of nourishment.
  • "season" (עֵת, ʿet): This word means the right or appointed time. The verse stresses that God provides not just what is needed, but also when it is needed.

Why Psalms 145:15 matters

  • Psalms 145:15 clarifies that God’s care extends to every creature, not just to people, showing His universal generosity.
  • The verse highlights the idea of dependence, reminding readers that all life is ultimately reliant on God’s timing and provision.
  • In the context of the psalm, this verse supports the theme of God’s goodness and faithfulness, which runs throughout David’s praise.

Where else these words appear

“wait” Hebrew H7663 · used in 8 verses

  • Ruth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
  • Nehemiah 2:15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
  • Psalms 104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

“meat” Hebrew H400 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
  • Exodus 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
  • Job 36:31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.