O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

PSALMS 90:14KJV
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Psalms 90:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 90:14 mean?

Psalms 90:14 is a prayer asking God to fill His people with His loyal love early in their lives, so that they can rejoice and be glad for all their days. The verse expresses a longing for God’s kindness to shape each day, bringing lasting joy and happiness.

Moses is speaking to God on behalf of the people, reflecting on the hardships and shortness of human life. He asks that God’s "mercy"—His steadfast, covenant love—would come to them early, suggesting a desire for God’s goodness to mark their lives from the start and to give them joy that lasts through every season.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 90:14

  • "Satisfy" (שָׂבַע, savaʿ) means to fill up or to be abundantly supplied. Here, it pictures God’s mercy as something that can truly fill and satisfy a person’s deepest needs, not just a small comfort.
  • "Early" (בֹּקֶר, boqer) literally means "morning." The prayer is for God’s mercy to come at the start of the day or early in life, setting a tone of joy for everything that follows.
  • "Mercy" (חֶסֶד, ḥesed) refers to God’s loyal, steadfast love—His faithful kindness that keeps His promises. This is not just general kindness but a deep, committed love that endures.
  • "Rejoice" (רָנַן, ranan) and "be glad" (שָׂמַח, samach) both speak of deep, genuine happiness—one more about joyful shouting, the other about inner gladness. The verse asks for both kinds of joy as a result of God’s mercy.
  • "Days" (יֹום, yom) simply means the span of life, underlining the wish for lifelong joy, not just a momentary feeling.

Why Psalms 90:14 matters

  • Psalms 90:14 highlights that true and lasting joy comes from experiencing God’s steadfast love, not from circumstances or achievements.
  • The verse connects to the wider psalm, which reflects on the brevity and difficulty of life, by showing that God’s mercy is the answer to human frailty and sorrow.
  • By asking for mercy "early," the verse emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s kindness at the start of each day or stage of life, trusting that His love can transform even difficult seasons.

Where else these words appear

“rejoice” Hebrew H7442 · used in 52 verses

  • Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
  • Psalms 81:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
  • Isaiah 24:14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

“satisfy” 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.

“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.