My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse captures a powerful intimacy where spiritual longing is met with a satisfaction so profound it's compared to the richest, most nourishing food, a richness that overflows into joyous praise. It's not just about feeling satisfied, but about that satisfaction bubbling up and spilling out of the mouth in joyful expression.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
English Standard Version (ESV)
David is in the wilderness of Judah, far from the sanctuary and the Ark of God, feeling spiritually parched and longing for worship. He contrasts his current destitute state with the profound satisfaction and joyful praise he anticipates when he can once again experience God's presence. This longing fuels his deep desire for God, even in his physical hardship.
Ever felt so hungry you could eat a horse? David uses a similar, vivid image to describe his soul's longing for God. But this isn't just about feeling full; it's about deep satisfaction.
David compares his soul's satisfaction in God to the deepest contentment found in the richest food – 'marrow and fatness.' This imagery isn't just about a temporary fix, but a profound, soul-quenching experience. When we are truly connected with God, our deepest needs are met in a way that nothing else can satisfy. It’s a spiritual fullness that nourishes us from the inside out, making us feel complete and content, even when circumstances are tough.
When you experience something truly amazing, don't you just want to tell everyone? David's satisfaction in God doesn't stay hidden; it bursts out in joyful praise.
The satisfaction David feels isn't just a private experience. It overflows from his 'mouth with joyful lips.' This isn't forced or dutiful praise; it's a spontaneous expression of a heart brimming with gratitude and delight. True spiritual satisfaction naturally leads to outward praise. It moves from the inner being to the spoken word, transforming our worship into something vibrant and genuine. Our praise becomes a testament to the goodness we've experienced in God.
Understand the original words
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saba · Hebrew Verb
To be filled, replenished, or have one's desires fully met. In a spiritual context, it signifies the contentment that comes only from finding sufficiency in God’s provision and presence.
Written during a time of desperate flight and uncertainty, Psalm 63:5 reveals David's deep longing for God's presence, comparing spiritual satisfaction to the richest physical feast. This shows that even in the most dire circumstances, our deepest hunger can be for communion with God, which surpasses all earthly comforts.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign as King of Israel
David, the second king of Israel, is traditionally understood as the author of Psalm 63. This period was marked by both significant victories and personal turmoil.
c. 980 BC— this verse
David flees Absalom's rebellion
Psalm 63 is often interpreted as being written by David while fleeing from his own son Absalom, who attempted to usurp the throne. David likely found refuge in the wilderness of Judah.
c. 975 BC
David returns to Jerusalem
Following the defeat and death of Absalom, David was able to return to Jerusalem and re-establish his rule, a time of reconciliation and restoration.
This passage uses a similar metaphor of a rich banquet to describe the abundance and joy found in God's presence and salvation, echoing the psalmist's deep satisfaction.
Jeremiah 31:14Here, the Lord promises to satisfy priests with abundance and His people with His goodness, connecting spiritual satisfaction with praise, much like in Psalms 63.
John 6:35Jesus declares Himself as the bread of life, promising that whoever comes to Him will never go hungry and will have eternal life, directly linking spiritual sustenance to Him as the source of ultimate satisfaction.
Psalm 107:9This verse speaks of God satisfying the longing soul and filling the hungry soul with good things, directly paralleling the concept of deep spiritual contentment found in God's provision.
Romans 8:32The apostle Paul highlights that if God did not withhold His own Son, He will freely give us all things, suggesting an unparalleled abundance and generosity that leads to joyful praise, similar to the psalmist's experience.
ellicottPsalms 63:5: "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:"
(5) Satisfied. —This image of a banquet, which repeats itself so frequently in Scripture, need not be connected with the sacrificial feasts.
calvinPsalms 63:5-8: "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:"
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. 6. I shall surely [432] remember thee upon my couch: I will meditate upon thee in the night watches, [433] 7. Because thou hast been my help: and I will rejoice in the shadow of thy wings. 8. My soul has cleaved hard after thee: thy right hand will uphold me.
My soul…
This verse captures a powerful intimacy where spiritual longing is met with a satisfaction so profound it's compared to the richest, most nourishing food, a richness that overflows into joyous praise. It's not just about feeling satisfied, but about that satisfaction bubbling up and spilling out of the mouth in joyful expression.
David is in the wilderness of Judah, far from the sanctuary and the Ark of God, feeling spiritually parched and longing for worship. He contrasts his current destitute state with the profound satisfaction and joyful praise he anticipates when he can once again experience God's presence. This longing fuels his deep desire for God, even in his physical hardship.
David is in the wilderness of Judah, far from the sanctuary and the Ark of God, feeling spiritually parched and longing for worship. He contrasts his current destitute state with the profound satisfaction and joyful praise he anticipates when he can once again experience God's presence. This longing fuels his deep desire for God, even in his physical hardship.
"My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips," — This verse captures a powerful intimacy where spiritual longing is met with a satisfaction so profound it's compared to the richest, most nourishing food, a richness that overflows into joyous praise…
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Last reviewed October 2026