This verse shows the futility of a life lived apart from God.
In Psalm 59, David, who lived from around 1040-970 BC, calls out to God for deliverance from those who seek to do him harm. In verse fifteen, he describes the behavior of his enemies with these poignant words: “They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied” (v.15). This imagery symbolizes a persistent, almost animal-like drive within the people who oppose David. They roam searching for nourishment, grumbling whenever they remain unfulfilled. Historically, David penned many psalms during times of extreme distress, including periods when King Saul (who reigned from 1049-1009 BC) relentlessly pursued him. His description in Psalm 59:15 is a vivid metaphor portraying the restlessness and frustration which results from those who operate out of an emptiness that cannot be filled by mere human effort.
By saying “They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied” (v.15), David points to the restless condition of the ungodly. They devour what they can, yet remain hungry because their longing is never fully met. The spiritual undertone here fits with broader biblical teaching that without God’s righteousness, hearts remain empty and wanting. Jesus later taught in the New Testament that only God truly satisfies the deepest human hunger (John 6:35). When one’s life is centered on selfish pursuits or destructive goals, the soul’s dissatisfaction rages like an unleashed animal, never resting in trust and contentment.
In applying this verse to our lives, we see how the night-time roaming of David’s foes parallels any circumstance where individuals chase fruitless desires. “They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied” (v.15) underscores how people might continue in cycles of desperation when their longing is not anchored in faith. Contrast this with seeking sustenance in God, who fills those who pay heed to His wisdom (Matthew 5:6). David’s experience warns us that when we pursue lesser ambitions over God’s provision, we remain in constant dissatisfaction, growling in our own frustration.
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Psalms 59:15 meaning
In Psalm 59, David, who lived from around 1040-970 BC, calls out to God for deliverance from those who seek to do him harm. In verse fifteen, he describes the behavior of his enemies with these poignant words: “They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied” (v.15). This imagery symbolizes a persistent, almost animal-like drive within the people who oppose David. They roam searching for nourishment, grumbling whenever they remain unfulfilled. Historically, David penned many psalms during times of extreme distress, including periods when King Saul (who reigned from 1049-1009 BC) relentlessly pursued him. His description in Psalm 59:15 is a vivid metaphor portraying the restlessness and frustration which results from those who operate out of an emptiness that cannot be filled by mere human effort.
By saying “They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied” (v.15), David points to the restless condition of the ungodly. They devour what they can, yet remain hungry because their longing is never fully met. The spiritual undertone here fits with broader biblical teaching that without God’s righteousness, hearts remain empty and wanting. Jesus later taught in the New Testament that only God truly satisfies the deepest human hunger (John 6:35). When one’s life is centered on selfish pursuits or destructive goals, the soul’s dissatisfaction rages like an unleashed animal, never resting in trust and contentment.
In applying this verse to our lives, we see how the night-time roaming of David’s foes parallels any circumstance where individuals chase fruitless desires. “They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied” (v.15) underscores how people might continue in cycles of desperation when their longing is not anchored in faith. Contrast this with seeking sustenance in God, who fills those who pay heed to His wisdom (Matthew 5:6). David’s experience warns us that when we pursue lesser ambitions over God’s provision, we remain in constant dissatisfaction, growling in our own frustration.