Psalm 91:16 serves as the culminating promise of one of the most beloved and theologically rich psalms in the Bible. It provides a beautiful and comprehensive conclusion to a passage centered on God’s divine protection, covenantal love, and faithfulness to those who dwell in His presence.
This verse summarizes the blessings that flow from a life of trust in God—abundant life and ultimate salvation.
The King James Version (KJV) translates Psalm 91:16 as: “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” The verse is simple yet profound, offering both temporal and eternal promises from God to the one who loves and trusts Him.
In the original Hebrew, the verse reads:
אֹרֶךְ יָמִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ וְאַרְאֵהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי
Transliteration: ’ōrekh yāmîm ’aśbi‘ēhū, ve-’ar’ēhū bi-yeshu‘ātî
The verse opens with the phrase אֹרֶךְ יָמִים (’ōrekh yāmîm), literally meaning “length of days.” The word אֹרֶךְ (’ōrekh)means “length” or “duration,” while יָמִים (yāmîm) means “days.” Together, they form the Hebrew idiom for a long life, commonly associated with divine blessing, peace, and fullness (cf. Proverbs 3:2; Deuteronomy 5:33). This phrase often implies not merely longevity, but a life marked by peace, purpose, and covenantal wholeness.
The verb אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ (’aśbi‘ēhū) is from the root שָׂבַע (sāva‘), meaning “to satisfy, fill, or be content.” In this context, it conveys the idea of being fully satisfied, not just with time but with quality of life. The verb is in the hiphil stem, which indicates causative action: “I will cause him to be satisfied.” The suffix -ēhū means “him,” emphasizing that this promise is personal. Thus, God is not just promising longevity but a satisfying life that brings spiritual contentment and completeness.
The second half of the verse, וְאַרְאֵהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי (ve-’ar’ēhū bi-yeshu‘ātî), translates as “and I will show him My salvation.” The verb אַרְאֵהוּ (’ar’ēhū) is from the root רָאָה (rā’āh), meaning “to see, perceive, or experience.” Again, the suffix -ēhū makes it personal—“I will cause him to see.” This emphasizes that God will allow the faithful person to experience His saving power firsthand.
The word יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu‘ah) means “salvation, deliverance, rescue, or victory.” It often carries both physical and spiritual connotations, including rescue from danger, liberation from enemies, and ultimate deliverance by God. In this verse, the form יְשׁוּעָתִי (yeshu‘ātî) means “My salvation”—God’s personal act of saving and redeeming. Importantly, this term is used throughout the Hebrew Bible to describe God’s power to save both temporally (in crisis) and eternally (in covenant fulfillment). For Christian readers, this word also foreshadows the name Yeshua (Jesus), whose name means “The Lord saves,” adding messianic significance to the promise.
Syntactically, Psalm 91:16 consists of two parallel clauses that mirror and reinforce each other. The first promises satisfaction with long life, and the second promises the vision or experience of God’s salvation. The structure is consistent with Hebrew poetic style, where the second clause intensifies or expands upon the first. This final verse also concludes the divine monologue that began in verse 14, wrapping up God’s spoken promises with a two-fold reward: life and salvation.
In theological commentary, Psalm 91:16 is often seen as the ultimate blessing of the covenant relationship. In Jewish interpretation, “length of days” and “salvation” are viewed as signs of divine favor granted to the righteous who keep God’s commandments and trust in His name. The verse encapsulates themes found throughout the Torah and Wisdom Literature—that those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways are blessed with life, protection, and peace (cf. Psalm 21:4; Proverbs 3:16).
In Christian interpretation, this verse takes on additional layers of meaning. While it includes a temporal promise of longevity and satisfaction in this life, many Christian scholars and readers see in it a prophetic reference to eternal life and salvation through Christ. The promise that God will “show him My salvation” resonates with New Testament teachings that those who trust in God through Christ will not only be saved but will see the glory of God (John 11:40) and experience His eternal kingdom. Thus, Psalm 91:16 is viewed both as a promise of divine provision now and eternal life to come.
Some alternative perspectives caution against interpreting “long life” as a guarantee of physical longevity for every believer. Many faithful people die young or suffer hardship, which may seem to contradict a literal reading. These scholars emphasize that the Hebrew idiom “length of days” is better understood as a qualitative statement about fullness of life, not a quantifiable lifespan. In this view, even a shorter life can be long in value, purpose, and spiritual satisfaction if it is lived in communion with God.
From a practical application standpoint, Psalm 91:16 provides deep comfort and assurance to those who seek refuge in God. It encourages believers to focus not only on the duration of life but on its depth, meaning, and relationship with God. The promise that God will “satisfy” them invites reflection on what it means to live a life that is full—not necessarily with material wealth or worldly success, but with peace, purpose, and communion with the Divine.
For those facing fear, uncertainty, or mortality, this verse offers a hope that transcends the present. It reassures the faithful that their lives are in God’s hands—not just preserved from danger, but destined for satisfaction and the ultimate revelation of God’s saving power. In an age often obsessed with prolonging life, Psalm 91:16 redirects attention to the kind of life that truly satisfies—one grounded in God’s presence and culminated in His salvation.
In conclusion, Psalm 91:16 brings the psalm’s themes of protection, intimacy, and divine favor to a powerful and peaceful close. Through rich Hebrew language and theological depth, it promises that those who love and trust God will be rewarded not only with a life of meaning and fullness but with the eternal vision of God’s salvation. Whether interpreted in the context of Old Testament covenant or New Testament fulfillment, this verse offers a timeless assurance: those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will not only be preserved—they will be satisfied and saved.
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