(The Lord) satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:5

Picture this: Take a dry sponge and pour water over it. All its holes fill up, and it doubles in size. When it gets to the point it can hold no more, the water flows over the edges. It is “satiated;” the Hebrew meaning of satisfies, in our verse today. It is the filling and even overfilling of appetites or desires.

What is He satisfying? The word desires doesn’t mean what you might think at first glance. The Hebrew meaning here is “ornament.” Commentaries agree that this meaning is speaking of the soul, which is the glory and ornament of the body. In other words, He fills up the deepest recesses of our souls.

We serve a generous God. He gives good things of the Spirit; His goodness, graces and gifts. He sets in our hearts, longings for these, and then He fills them to overflowing. Some of these gifts might be joy, peace, a content heart, an overflowing love for others, a sense of being utterly satisfied.

Have you ever experienced your soul being completely filled by the Lord? Maybe you feel that way right now. Maybe, like me, you are feeling the opposite. Right now, I feel squeezed and the holes of my soul have been drained somewhat.

If this is the case with you know that when we turn to the only One who can satisfy every longing, fill up every empty place, and saturate our being to overflowing, He is faithful to do just that. And when He does, Psalm 103 reminds us to praise Him.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits… who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (vs. 1-2, 5).

Gracious Lord, thank you that the invitation has been given, that we might trust You to fill us to overflowing.

Johna Clemons