Shane & Shane’s live worship albums have been highly anticipated since their early days, which featured the hit songs "Be Near," "He is Exalted," and "Yearn." We know these talented worship leaders for their biblical lyrics and stellar harmonies. Over the past twenty years, they have continued to bless the church with more inspiring songs, such as "Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts)," "Psalm 34 (Taste and See)," "I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)," "Before The Throne," "God of Ages Past," and "Living Water."
One of my all-time favorite worship albums is Psalms, Hymns, And Spiritual Songs (Live) by Shane & Shane. This incredible album includes powerful tracks like "You've Already Won," "My Portion," "Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise)," and my personal worship anthem, "Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us With Your Love)." Besides their music, the group leads The Worship Initiative, a collective of talented worship leaders, including Davy Flowers, Hannah Hardin, Bethany Barnard, Dinah Wright, and others.
I recently spoke with one of the Shane’s, Shane Barnard, about the profound impact of "Psalm 90" and how it resonates with worshipers.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
Psalm 90 is the main Bible passage the song is birthed from. The song is a prayer that speaks to the importance of setting one's heart on the Lord and recognizing Him as our dwelling place. It also reflects a desire to be taught to value and make the most of our time on Earth.
In pursuing this understanding, I have made it a regular priority to spend time in a graveyard. Don’t worry. I’m not involved in grave sucking (yes, that’s a thing), seances, or praying to the dead. I didn’t grow up watching horror movies. But I have a genuine interest in God, teaching me to value each day and find satisfaction in His steadfast love. It fascinates me that "Psalm 90" is one of the oldest songs in human history, written by Moses.
If I truly believe that God is all I need, I don't need anything from anyone anymore. That's a crazy place to live. It makes my marriage completely different when I don't need anything from my wife. I don't need affirmation. I don't need respect. I don't need that because I have all I need in Christ. That allows me to love with no need in return. If you can love someone and not look for any return, and if you are loving and laying your life down because that's what Jesus does--He doesn't get any return on His investment—if we can love like Jesus, that's the definition of freedom.
If God is our sole hope, our ultimate treasure, the only one we truly need, the nourishment that satisfies our souls, and if every place we walk becomes sacred because of His presence, then my hardened heart requires significant persuasion from Him. God has dwelt in my heart of stone, and I have a long way to go in fully embracing this truth daily, beyond mere Sunday morning belief. It’s a journey to understand that He is truly all I need.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 90:9-12(NIV): “All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years or eighty if our strength endures, yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. Teach us to number our days to gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 16:8(NASB): “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 73:25-26(NKJV): "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.'
Psalm 73:24-25(VOICE): Even though I was angry and hard-hearted, You gave me good advice; when it's all over, You will receive me into Your glory. For all my wanting, I don't have anyone but You in heaven. There is nothing on earth that I desire other than You.
Ezra 7:10(NLV): “For Ezra had set his heart to learn the Law of the Lord, to live by it, and to teach His Laws in Israel.”
Isaiah 26:3(NLV): “You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You because he trusts in You.”
Psalm 25:4-5(NKJV): "Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You, I wait all the day."
Psalm 37:4-6(NKJV): "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, also trust in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday."
Psalm 90:12(NIV): "Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 4:18-19(NKJV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us."
What is the takeaway message?
In this song, I confront and wrestle with fear and doubt, ultimately learning to trust the Lord and find hope in His plans. This song is a heartfelt anthem I've needed to sing to the Lord and over my heart and circumstances. The song is a reminder that the Word of God is accurate and has been proven in my life.
I desire this song to lead people to lift their gaze upward and return to the truth found in God's Word. You can place your trust in Him. Setting your heart on Him is an intentional action and choice you can make today. Regardless of the challenges you may face, whether it's fear, doubt, or uncertainty, you can trust the Lord. This song is a beautiful and powerful declaration to sing over yourself and a deliberate decision to fix your heart on Him.
I also hope that many individuals recognize that they possess a heart of stone and ask God to break through and soften it, being convinced that He is their sole hope and ultimate treasure. It’s essential to let go of placing all hope in the fleeting treasures of this world and instead anchor our hope in the creator of the universe. When we expose our hearts to God, it creates a transformative space. It’s a humbling and crucial position, enabling us to see our sins and acknowledge our desperate need for Him.
Lyrics
You have been our dwelling place. Oh, everlasting God. Before you formed the mountaintops You were before it all. And soon, our lives turn back to dust.
When the sun comes up, satisfy us. Before the day has passed us by, Before our hearts forget all your goodness Satisfy us with your love.
The wrath of God poured out for sin. On Jesus crucified Consider him our hiding place. Our shelter is alive. Because he lived and died for us
When the sun comes up, satisfy us. Before the day has passed us by, Before our hearts forget all your goodness Satisfy us with your love.
Teach us, Lord, to number our days on earth. And give us more wisdom in the secret heart. As you display amazing grace in Jesus Christ for us
When the sun comes up, satisfy us. Before the day has passed us by, Before our hearts forget all your goodness Satisfy us with your love.
Closing Thoughts
"Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us with Your Love)" is an incredible song and an anthem of heartfelt praise. Many of my favorite songs draw inspiration from the joy of the Psalms, and I have found that Shane & Shane's albums beautifully capture that psalmist's essence. While discussing this song and the corresponding scripture passages with Shane, I couldn't help but feel convicted by the truth expressed in Psalm 37:4-5: "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, also trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
Embracing the song’s words allows them to take root within our hearts, reminding us that Jesus has always been, is present today, and will forever be the one who makes way for us—even when circumstances seem impossible. It’s a truth to cling to and find solace in. I’m moved by the connection between this song and Ezra 7:10, where the prophet Ezra prays to set his heart on learning the Law of the Lord and living by it. Singing along with this song becomes a powerful means of self-examination and prayer.
Fear, worry, and anxiety are struggles we all face. This song speaks to surrendering our concerns, stresses, and anxieties to God, allowing Him to guide us. It echoes the prayer and song of Moses, "Teach us, Lord, to number our days on earth, and give us more wisdom in the secret heart, as you display amazing grace in Jesus Christ for us." God desires to walk beside us, encouraging us to be courageous and unafraid.
He wants us to understand that He is faithful to fulfill what He has begun in each of us who have placed our hope and trust in Jesus. “Psalm 90” reminds me that I no longer want to waste more time. It serves as a personal testimony to the profound transformative power of redemption. Its music has become a precious devotional prayer for me, a constant reminder of God's grace and forgiveness, despite my shortcomings.
Our God is a loving and merciful deity who accepts us as we are, without pretense or facade. He lavishes His mercy upon us freely, regardless of our actions or what we can offer Him. All we can do is trust His Son, Jesus Christ.
"Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us with Your Love)" is a stirring anthem that speaks to the power of hope found in Christ. At times, it may be difficult to fully comprehend that God loves us so profoundly, knowing us intimately and desiring to fill our hearts with His love. Yet, even in our brokenness, He sees us as righteous because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross. God views us through the lens of His Son, not based on our righteousness, appearance, talent, or abilities, but solely because of Jesus Christ.
As we reflect on that truth, that gives us cause to remember and sing out to Him: “The wrath of God poured out for sin/On Jesus crucified Consider Him our hiding place/Our shelter is alive/Because He lived and died for us/When the sun comes up satisfy us/Before the day has passed us by/Before our hearts forget all your goodness/Satisfy us with your love." Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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