Psalms 111:5 · Bible study
Psalms 111:5 Commentary: The Prey of God’s Provision
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 111:5 uses the unusual word 'prey' to describe God's provision for those who fear Him, showing His covenant faithfulness through manna, quail,
Research Summary
- Meaning: God provides for those who revere Him, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness.
- Key words: טֶרֶף (tereph, ‘prey’), יָרֵא (yare, ‘fear’), זָכַר (zakhar, ‘remember’), בְּרִית (berit, ‘covenant’).
- Main debate: Whether the ‘prey’ refers to wilderness manna/quail, the Passover meal, or spoil from enemies; most see a combination.
- Theological theme: God’s provision is rooted in His covenant, not human merit.
- Best use: Preaching on God’s faithfulness in daily provision, especially in Eucharistic or Passover contexts.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant.
KJV King James Version 1769
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
He hath given food unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Prey He hath given to those fearing Him, He remembereth to the age His covenant.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
He hath given meat unto them that fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Dió mantenimiento á los que le temen; para siempre se acordará de su pacto.
Ele deu alimento aos que o temem; ele se lembrará para sempre de seu pacto.
Il a donné de la nourriture à ceux qui le craignent;
Er gibt Speise denen, die ihn fürchten; er gedenkt ewiglich an seinen Bund.
Teth. Hij heeft degenen, die Hem vrezen, spijs gegeven; Jod. Hij gedenkt in der eeuwigheid aan Zijn verbond.
Egli ha dato da vivere a quelli che lo temono, egli si ricorda in eterno del suo patto.
Dał pokarm tym, którzy się go boją, pamiętając wiecznie na przymierze swoje.
Добрый человек милует и взаймы дает; он даст твердость словам своим на суде.
他賜 糧食 給敬畏他的人；他必永遠 記念 他的約。
He has given food to his worshippers; he will keep his agreement in mind for ever.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 111:5
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse highlights God’s faithful provision for those who revere Him. The Hebrew word translated ‘food’ is טֶרֶף (tereph), literally ‘prey’ or ‘spoil.’ Adam Clarke and the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges note the allusion to the quails and manna in the wilderness, food taken as from a hunter’s catch. Barnes adds that the word can refer to provision obtained from enemies, as at the Exodus. Keil and Delitzsch connect the verse to the Passover meal, seeing the ‘prey’ as the lamb and the unleavened bread. John Gill emphasizes that this provision is not only physical but also spiritual: the flesh of Christ and the Word. All agree that the second line anchors this care in God’s covenant: ‘He always remembers his covenant.’ The psalmist presents a God who sustains His people because He is bound to them by promise.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Wilderness provision: The word 'prey' describes the quails and manna that fell from heaven, as argued by Clarke and the Cambridge Bible.
- Spoil from Egypt: Barnes suggests the term may refer to the plunder taken from the Egyptians at the Exodus.
- Passover lamb/meal: Keil and Delitzsch connect the verse directly to the Passover sacrifice, citing the psalm's use in the Hallel.
What is clear: God provides for those who fear Him because He is faithful to His covenant.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The word 'prey' (tereph) | All commentators note it denotes food given by God, with a sense of something taken in hunting or spoil. | Some (Clarke, Cambridge Bible) emphasize manna and quail; others (Barnes) see spoil from Egypt; Keil and Delitzsch connect it to the Passover lamb and meal. |
| Those who fear Him | Refers to those who revere God in covenant relationship. | Some traditions see this as referring specifically to Israel; others apply it generally to all believers. |
| Covenant remembrance | God’s faithfulness to His covenant is the foundation for His provision. | Whether the covenant is primarily with Abraham (Keil) or with Moses (Gill) or both. |
| Connection to Eucharist | The verse has been used in Eucharistic liturgy since the early church (Augustine, Theodoret). | Protestant traditions often see it as typological; Catholic and Orthodox see it as directly sacramental. |
| Acrostic form | The acrostic structure (each line starting with a letter) aids memorization and emphasizes completeness. | Some scholars (Lange) argue for late post-exilic composition due to the form; others see it as consistent with earlier psalmody. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 111 is an acrostic poem, each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It belongs to a group of psalms (111, 118) that many Jewish traditions associate with the Passover Hallel, sung during the feast. John Calvin notes this connection in his commentary. The word for ‘food’ in verse 5 is טֶרֶף, which literally means ‘prey’ or ‘what is taken in hunting.’ This unusual choice likely points to the dramatic provision for Israel in the wilderness: the quails that covered the camp (Exodus 16:13) and the manna that fell like a gift. Adam Clarke sees the manna-quail connection. Barnes suggests the word may also recall the spoil taken from Egypt at the Exodus (Exodus 12:36). Keil and Delitzsch go further, linking the verse directly to the Passover meal, the lamb that was slain and eaten, the ‘prey’ that became the memorial of redemption. The second line, ‘He always remembers his covenant,’ anchors the provision in God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Exodus 2:24 says God remembered His covenant and saw the people’s suffering. The psalmist, writing probably in the post-exilic period (Lange notes the late composition indicated by the acrostic form), reflects on that history as a pattern for all who fear the Lord. The ‘fear of the Lord’ is not terror but reverent trust, the beginning of wisdom (v. 10). This psalm calls the congregation to remember God’s past faithfulness as a guarantee of future care.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Masoretic Text is consistent across manuscripts, with only minor spelling variations in later scribal traditions (e.g., plene vs. defective spellings of vowel letters).
Reception History
From at least the fifth century, Theodoret and Augustine read this verse as foreshadowing the Eucharist, a tradition that continued in medieval liturgy. Jewish interpreters linked it to the Passover meal and the manna. During the Reformation, Luther saw it as an Easter psalm. Modern scholarship (Keil, Delitzsch) maintains the connection to the Passover memorial while also noting the acrostic artistry.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God Provides for Those Who Fear Him, The Hebrew word טֶרֶף (tereph, ‘prey’) suggests not just daily bread but dramatic rescue and spoil, as in the Exodus. God gives His people what they cannot provide for themselves.
- God’s Provision Is Rooted in His Covenant, He remembers His covenant forever. This is not triggered by human worth but by His own faithful character. The provision is the fruit of a promise.
- Fear of the Lord Opens the Door to His Care, ‘Those who fear him’ are those who live in reverent trust. The psalm later says this fear is the beginning of wisdom (v. 10). Wisdom and provision go together.
Five-point outline
- Context: An Acrostic Praise for the Passover, The psalm is designed to be sung and memorized, its alphabet structure teaching the full scope of God’s works.
- The Specific Word: ‘Prey’ as a Clue, The unusual term points to the quails, manna, or the Passover lamb. Each evokes a God who fights for His people.
- The Recipients: ‘Those Who Fear Him’, Not perfect people, but those who take God seriously and trust His promises.
- The Ground: Covenant Faithfulness, God’s memory does not fail. He keeps His word across generations.
- The Ongoing Reality: Provision for All Who Trust, This verse sustains believers in every season, especially at the Lord’s Table where Christ, the true ‘prey,’ is remembered.
Illustration hooks
- A parent who faithfully puts food on the table each day reflects something of God’s covenant care, the provision is steady because the promise is sure.
- When a friend keeps a long-ago promise, it reminds us that faithfulness outlasts circumstances. God’s covenant is like that, only eternal.
- Think of a harvest: the farmer does not create the seed; he receives it as a gift from the land. The psalmist says all provision is gift, rooted in a promise.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God still provide for us today when we go through hard times, like He did for Israel in the wilderness?
- How does ‘fearing God’ affect our daily needs? Is it about being afraid, or something deeper?
- What does it mean that God ‘remembers His covenant’? Does God ever forget, or is this about us remembering Him?
Leading a Discussion
Psalm 111:5 opens a window into God’s character: He provides for those who revere Him, and He does so because He cannot forget His covenant. The word ‘prey’ (טֶרֶף) jars the reader, it suggests a God who fights for His people’s food. Use these questions to explore the verse together, moving from the text to your own lives.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about the word ‘prey’ in this verse? Why would the psalmist use such a vivid, even violent term for food?
- How does God’s provision in the Exodus (manna, quail, the Passover meal) help you understand His care for you today?
- The psalm says God remembers His covenant ‘forever.’ In what ways have you seen God keep promises in your life or in the life of your church?
- What does it mean to ‘fear’ God in this context? How is that different from being afraid of God, and how does it relate to receiving His provision?
- How does this verse connect to the Lord’s Supper or Communion in your tradition? Why might Christians have read it as a Eucharistic text?
- If God’s provision is rooted in covenant, not in our performance, how does that change the way you pray about your needs?
- What practical needs are you trusting God with right now? How does remembering His past faithfulness (as the psalm does) strengthen that trust?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Nehemiah 1:5 | and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, |
| Psalms 34:9 | Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him. |
| Psalms 34:10 | The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing. |
| Psalms 37:3 | Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. |
| Psalms 89:34 | I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered. |
| Psalms 105:8 | He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, |
| Psalms 106:45 | He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. |
| Isaiah 33:16 | he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the Hebrew word translated as "meat" — tereph — which actually means prey or spoil taken in hunting or from enemies. He connects this to the quails God sent in the wilderness and to the way God provided for Israel during captivity, proving His faithfulness to the covenant.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights the Hebrew word behind "meat" can mean "prey," suggesting God supplies his people's needs from the spoils of their enemies. This points to provision through struggle, not passive gift. And behind it all stands God's unwavering commitment to covenant promises.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
The excerpt examines the uncertain Jewish traditions about which psalms formed the Greater Hallel sung at Passover, then proposes a clear grouping based on the internal evidence of the Hallelujah headings. It concludes that these psalms were likely sung at the festival, celebrating deliverance from Egypt and later from Babylon.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that the Hebrew word for "meat" here originally meant a lion's prey, but by this time simply meant food; the unusual word is chosen to fit the psalm's acrostic structure. The reference to God remembering his covenant forever points back to the Exodus as proof of his faithfulness and a pledge that he will never forget his promises.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note draws a direct link between reverent fear of God and receiving a promised inheritance from Him. It also affirms that God's constant remembrance of His covenant is the guarantee that this gift will never be withdrawn.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights two layers in the phrase "given meat": it can mean prey or spoil, pointing to physical provision like manna, and it also refers to spiritual food -- Christ's flesh, Scripture, and ordinances, all freely given. He then connects this gift to God's covenant faithfulness: God never forgets His covenant or His people, which is why He supplies their needs.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch reads Psalm 111 as a Passover psalm, linking the deeds of God it recounts specifically to the exodus deliverance and the Passover meal. They note that later Christian tradition, from Theodoret and Augustine, connected verse 5 to the Eucharist, making this psalm fitting for the Lord's Supper. The fear of God in verse 10 is the motto of wisdom literature.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights the psalm's alphabetical acrostic structure, where each line begins with a successive Hebrew letter and contains short, three-word stichs. He notes this pattern matches Psalm 112 exactly and suggests a late composition, though the precise date is uncertain. The psalm has
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry observes that the psalmist does not simply command others to praise God but first resolves to do so himself, with his whole heart. He also notes that praise belongs in both private and public worship, and that meditating on God's great works is the proper focus of such devotion.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley clarifies the word "meat" here means more than just food. It covers every necessary provision for both survival and a good life.