What Does Psalm 103:5 Mean in the King James?
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse binds being filled with good to becoming new again.
THE MEANING
The good that satisfies you also renews your vitality; nourishment and newness belong together. Even when you feel worn, your present condition is not the final shape of your life.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that once your vitality fades, it cannot return.
THE ROOT
תִּתְחַדֵּשׁ
titḥaddēsh
GROWS FROM
ח־ד־שׁ
ḥ-d-sh
new; to renew
“renewed” in this verse is titḥaddēsh. The renewal verb comes from the same root as “new” and “month,” the new-moon cycle. Youth is pictured as made fresh again, so satisfaction with good and renewal are one movement.
ALSO GROWS
ḥādāsh: New, fresh
חָדָשׁ
The verse’s renewal carries the quality of newness, not simply the continuation of what was.
ḥōdesh: Month; the new moon
חֹדֶשׁ
This branch echoes freshness returning in a cycle, adding renewal to the image of restored youth.
הַמַּשְׂבִּיעַ
hammaśbîaʿ
GROWS FROM
שׂ־ב־ע
ś-b-ʿ
Be full; be sated
“satisfieth” in this verse is hammaśbîaʿ. The one who satisfies and the state of being full belong to the same root: satisfaction is more than tasting; it is arriving at fullness. Here that fullness reaches beyond appetite and is joined to renewed vitality.
ALSO GROWS
śāvēaʿ: Full, sated
שָׂבֵעַ
This branch shows the state brought about by the satisfying action in the verse.
śōvaʿ: Fullness, abundance
שֹׂבַע
The same root can name abundance, deepening the verse’s picture of good that truly fills.
THE PATTERN
When good satisfies hunger, it restores strength and makes life new.
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.THE THREAD
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.Both verses use שׂבע (ś-b-ʿ, be full or satisfied) for satisfaction. Psalm 145:16 shows that fullness as provision for every living thing; here, that satisfaction is joined to renewed youth.
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