Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

PSALMS 145:16KJV
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Psalms 145:16 (KJV)

What does Psalms 145:16 mean?

Psalms 145:16 describes God as generously providing for all living things, meeting their needs and desires by simply opening His hand. The verse highlights God’s care and provision for every creature, not just people, but all forms of life.

King David is speaking directly to God in this psalm, praising God’s greatness and kindness. The verse comes in a section where David is reflecting on God’s goodness and faithfulness to all creation. Psalms 145:16 emphasizes that God’s generosity is not limited or selective—His care reaches every living thing, showing a picture of God’s open-handed kindness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 145:16

  • "openest" (פּוֹתֵחַ, poteach): This word means to open, like opening a hand or a door. The image is of God’s hand not being clenched or withholding, but freely opened to give.
  • "hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew thought, the hand often represents power, action, or generosity. Here, it is a symbol of God’s ability and willingness to provide.
  • "satisfiest" (שָׂבַע, sava): This word means to fill up or satisfy completely, not just to give a little, but to meet needs fully.
  • "desire" (רָצוֹן, ratzon): This word can mean will, favor, or desire. It suggests that God is attentive to what living things long for, not just their basic needs.
  • "thing" (חַי, chai): This word means living thing or creature, making clear that God’s care is for all life, not just humans.

Why Psalms 145:16 matters

  • Psalms 145:16 corrects the idea that God is distant or only cares for certain people; it shows God’s kindness extends to every living thing.
  • The verse fits into a larger psalm that celebrates God’s universal goodness, reminding readers that God’s generosity is a constant theme throughout the Bible.
  • By using words that speak of fullness and desire, Psalms 145:16 highlights that God’s provision is not just about survival, but about real satisfaction and care.

Where else these words appear

“desire” Hebrew H7522 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
  • Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

“satisfiest” Hebrew H7646 · used in 92 verses

  • Exodus 16:8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
  • Psalms 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

“openest” Hebrew H6605 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • Nehemiah 1:6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
  • Isaiah 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?