But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." But I would feed youThis phrase indicates a divine promise and a conditional offer from God. The Hebrew root for "feed" is "אָכַל" (akal), which means to eat or consume. In the biblical context, feeding often symbolizes God's provision and care for His people. Historically, God's provision is seen in the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). This phrase underscores God's desire to nurture and sustain His people, offering them not just physical sustenance but spiritual nourishment as well. the finest wheat
The term "finest wheat" refers to the best and most nutritious grain available. In Hebrew, "חֵלֶב חִטָּה" (chelev chittah) is used, where "chelev" means fat or finest, and "chittah" means wheat. Wheat was a staple in ancient Israel, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. This phrase suggests that God desires to provide His people with the best, reflecting His generosity and the richness of His blessings. It also points to the spiritual abundance found in a relationship with God, where He offers the finest spiritual truths and wisdom. with honey from the rock
This phrase is both poetic and symbolic. "Honey" in Hebrew is "דְּבַשׁ" (devash), representing sweetness and delight. "Rock" is "צוּר" (tsur), often symbolizing strength and stability. The imagery of honey coming from a rock suggests an unexpected source of sweetness and provision, highlighting God's miraculous ability to provide for His people in seemingly impossible situations. Historically, this could allude to the land of Canaan, described as a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8), symbolizing God's promise of a bountiful inheritance. I would satisfy you
The Hebrew root for "satisfy" is "שָׂבַע" (sava), meaning to be full or to have enough. This phrase emphasizes God's ability to fulfill the deepest needs and desires of His people. Satisfaction here is not just physical but also spiritual, indicating a state of contentment and peace that comes from trusting in God's provision. In a broader scriptural context, this satisfaction is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus declares Himself the bread of life, promising that those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst (John 6:35). Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker in this verse, expressing His desire to provide abundantly for His people. 2. IsraelThe primary audience of the Psalm, representing God's chosen people who are being reminded of His provision and care. 3. WildernessThe historical backdrop of Israel's journey where God provided for them miraculously, symbolized by "honey from the rock." 4. Wheat and HoneySymbols of God's provision and abundance, representing both physical sustenance and spiritual blessings. 5. RockOften a symbol of strength and stability, here it also represents the miraculous provision of God, as seen in the wilderness wanderings. Teaching Points God's Abundant ProvisionGod desires to provide not just the essentials but the finest and most satisfying blessings for His people. Spiritual NourishmentJust as God provided physical sustenance, He offers spiritual nourishment through His Word and presence. Trust in God's TimingThe imagery of honey from the rock suggests that God's provision may come from unexpected places and at unexpected times. Obedience and BlessingThe context of Psalm 81 emphasizes that God's blessings are often contingent upon the obedience and faithfulness of His people. Christ as the Ultimate ProvisionIn the New Testament, Jesus fulfills the imagery of provision, offering Himself as the ultimate source of life and satisfaction. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of "finest wheat" and "honey from the rock" deepen your understanding of God's provision in your life? 2. In what ways can you see God's provision in unexpected areas of your life, similar to "honey from the rock"? 3. How does the connection between Psalm 81:16 and John 6:35 enhance your understanding of Jesus as the "bread of life"? 4. Reflect on a time when obedience to God led to a tangible blessing in your life. How does this encourage you to remain faithful? 5. How can you apply the principle of trusting in God's timing and provision in a current situation you are facing? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 32:13This verse speaks of God making Israel ride on the heights of the land and feeding them with the produce of the fields, including honey from the rock, highlighting God's provision. Exodus 16The account of manna in the wilderness, where God provided daily sustenance for the Israelites, illustrating His care and provision. John 6:35Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," connecting the physical provision of wheat to the spiritual sustenance found in Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4Paul speaks of the spiritual rock that followed the Israelites, which was Christ, linking the Old Testament provision to New Testament fulfillment in Jesus. People Asaph, Jacob, Joseph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics 82, Best, Causeth, Eat, Fat, Fed, Feed, Finest, Full, Grain, Honey, Psalm, Rock, Satisfied, Satisfy, Wheat, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 81:16 5167 mouth Psalm 81:13-16 4404 food Library Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
BEGINNING AND EARLY DAYS OF THE ORPHAN WORK. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."--1 Peter, i. 7. Mr. George Mueller, the founder of the New Orphan-Houses, Ashley Down, Bristol (institutions that have been for many years the greatest monuments of modern times to a prayer-answering God), gives in that most valuable and instructive book, "A …
George Müller—Answers to PrayerAsk what I Shall Give Thee. 1Ki 3:05
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."--Psalm xxxiv. 8. You see by these words what love Almighty God has towards us, and what claims He has upon our love. He is the Most High, and All-Holy. He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. He would not be less happy though He had never created us; He would not be less happy though we were all blotted out again from creation. But He is the God of love; He brought us all into existence, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
"Sept. 30 [1869].--From Yorkshire L50.--Received also One Thousand Pounds to-day for the Lord's work in China. About this donation it is especially to be noticed, that for months it had been my earnest desire to do more than ever for Mission Work in China, and I had already taken steps to carry out this desire, when this donation of One Thousand Pounds came to hand. This precious answer to prayer for means should be a particular encouragement to all who are engaged in the Lord's work, and who may …
George Müller—Answers to Prayer The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!'
When the traitor returned from Jerusalem on the Wednesday afternoon, the Passover, in the popular and canonical, though not in the Biblical sense, was close at hand. It began on the 14th Nisan, that is, from the appearance of the first three stars on Wednesday evening [the evening of what had been the 13th], and ended with the first three stars on Thursday evening [the evening of what had been the 14th day of Nisan]. As this is an exceedingly important point, it is well here to quote the precise …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments How Does it Come?
How does the Filling of the Spirit come? "Does it come once for all? or is it always coming, as it were?" was a question addressed to me once by a young candidate for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. There are many asking the same question. We have considered how the Fullness is obtained, but now we proceed to consider, How does the Fullness come? In speaking of the blessing of being filled with the Spirit, the New Testament writers use three tenses in the Greek--the Aorist, the Imperfect, and the …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness Matthew 5:6 We are now come to the fourth step of blessedness: Blessed are they that hunger'. The words fall into two parts: a duty implied; a promise annexed. A duty implied: Blessed are they that hunger'. Spiritual hunger is a blessed hunger. What is meant by hunger? Hunger is put for desire (Isaiah 26:9). Spiritual hunger is the rational appetite whereby the soul pants after that which it apprehends most suitable and proportional …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is defined by Deharbe as "an unmerited, supernatural gift, imparted to the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which we are made just, children of God, and heirs of Heaven." As it makes sinners just, sanctifying grace is also called justifying, though this appellation can not be applied to the sanctification of our first parents in Paradise or to that of the angels and the sinless soul of Christ. Justification, as we have shown, consists in the infusion of sanctifying grace, and hence it …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 81:16 NIVPsalm 81:16 NLTPsalm 81:16 ESVPsalm 81:16 NASBPsalm 81:16 KJV
Psalm 81:16 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
