Psalm 116:15 kjv
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15 nkjv
Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15 niv
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.
Psalm 116:15 esv
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15 nlt
The LORD cares deeply
when his loved ones die.
Psalm 116 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 32:39 | "I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal..." | God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. |
| 1 Sam 2:6 | "The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up." | Reinforces God's ultimate authority over life/death. |
| Ps 30:3 | "O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you have kept me alive..." | God rescues and preserves the lives of His faithful. |
| Ps 34:7 | "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them." | God's protection for His people. |
| Ps 49:15 | "But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me." | God's redemption of the righteous from death's grip. |
| Ps 72:14 | "From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight." | Life/blood of His people is valuable to God. |
| Ps 139:16 | "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them..." | God knows and cares for His people from inception. |
| Prov 10:28 | "The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish." | The end of the righteous is hopeful. |
| Prov 11:30 | "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." | The enduring impact of a righteous life. |
| Prov 14:32 | "The wicked is overthrown by his wrongdoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death." | The righteous have security even in death. |
| Isa 43:4 | "Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you..." | God declares His people precious. |
| Dan 12:2 | "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life..." | Resurrection of the dead for eternal life. |
| Matt 10:29-31 | "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?... you are of more value than many sparrows." | God's meticulous care for all creation, especially humans. |
| Rom 8:38-39 | "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers... will be able to separate us from the love of God..." | God's enduring love beyond death. |
| 1 Cor 3:22 | "...or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours..." | Believers inherit all things, including the transition of death. |
| 1 Cor 15:54-57 | "Death is swallowed up in victory." | Victory over death through Christ. |
| 2 Cor 5:8 | "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." | Death for believers is a transition to presence with the Lord. |
| Phil 1:21-23 | "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain... my desire is to depart and be with Christ..." | Death is beneficial for the believer. |
| 1 Thess 4:13-14 | "...so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again..." | Hope for believers in death due to Christ's resurrection. |
| Heb 11:35-38 | Describes martyrs who suffered to gain a better resurrection. | The value of faithful enduring until death. |
| Rev 1:18 | "I am the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades." | Christ's victory and authority over death. |
| Rev 14:13 | "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on... that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" | A blessed state for those who die in Christ. |
Psalm 116 verses
Psalm 116 15 Meaning
Psalm 116:15 declares that the passing of God's devoted followers is not a trivial or unnoticed event but is considered profoundly valuable and honored in His sight. It conveys God's deep care, personal investment, and ultimate sovereignty over the lives and deaths of those who are faithful to Him. This does not imply God delights in their demise but that their transition from this life is treated with immense importance and high regard within His divine wisdom and plan.
Psalm 116 15 Context
Psalm 116 is a psalm of profound thanksgiving. The psalmist recounts being in extreme distress, surrounded by the "snares of death" and finding himself "in distress and sorrow" (v. 3). He cried out to the Lord for deliverance (v. 4) and testified that the Lord was gracious and just (v. 5). Having been delivered from the grip of death (v. 8), he declares his intention to walk before the Lord in the land of the living (v. 9). The context leading to verse 15 shows the psalmist’s profound faith and trust in God despite facing great affliction (v. 10-11) and his renewed commitment to fulfilling his vows and offering praise in the presence of God’s people (v. 12-14). Verse 15 thus explains why God delivered him: not because the psalmist was perfect, but because God holds the lives of His loyal followers in extremely high regard. The verse serves as both an assurance and a profound theological statement regarding God's character and His relationship with His covenant people. Historically and culturally, this stands in contrast to ancient Near Eastern polytheistic religions where human life, especially that of ordinary people, might be viewed as expendable by indifferent or demanding deities, or rulers. The Psalmist emphatically declares that YHWH cares deeply and personally for each of His 'saints.'
Psalm 116 15 Word analysis
Precious (יָקָר, yaqar): This Hebrew word denotes something valuable, costly, weighty, or highly esteemed. It’s not just "dear" in an affectionate sense but indicates a profound sense of worth and importance. God doesn't take the death of His saints lightly; it is significant and bears great weight in His estimation. This reflects an intrinsic value.
in the sight of (לְעֵינֵי, l'eynei): Literally "in the eyes of" or "before the eyes of." This indicates that God observes, judges, and regards this event from His perspective. It’s not a human emotional reaction but God’s sovereign and righteous estimation. It suggests an active valuing and consideration.
LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging nature. This name stresses that it is the God who revealed Himself to Israel, the faithful, covenant-keeping God, who holds such a high regard for His devoted followers.
is the death (הַמָּוֶת, hammavet): This is a straightforward Hebrew term for physical death, the cessation of life. It does not mean God enjoys or desires their death, but that when it occurs, it holds immense importance to Him. The article "the" suggests this is a general truth about all such deaths.
of his saints (לַחֲסִידָיו, laḥasidav): "His saints" comes from the Hebrew word חָסִיד (chasid), derived from חֶסֶד (chesed), which means "loyal love," "kindness," or "steadfast love." Thus, chasidim refers to those who are characterized by chesed—those who demonstrate loyal devotion and love to God and are recipients of God's chesed. These are the faithful, the pious, the godly ones. Their loyalty makes them special in God's eyes.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Precious in the sight of the LORD: This phrase establishes the divine perspective. God, the ultimate Authority and Judge, places immeasurable value on this event. It sets a standard far beyond human comprehension or emotion, indicating profound divine concern and high regard.
- is the death of his saints: This identifies the specific event and group concerned. It underscores that for those who maintain a relationship of loyal love with YHWH, their ultimate end in this life is not a trivial matter to Him. Their life, which culminates in death, holds a special sanctity and purpose within His divine scheme. This phrase implicitly rejects the idea that God is indifferent or callous towards the suffering or demise of His faithful.
Psalm 116 15 Bonus section
This verse often finds resonance in the context of martyrdom. When a "saint" dies precisely because of their faithfulness to the LORD, their death takes on an even deeper layer of preciousness. It is not just the end of a life, but a supreme act of loyalty that bears powerful testimony to the truth of God and the depth of their devotion. The church throughout history has upheld the memory of martyrs as a sacred witness, reflecting this divine valuation. God doesn't "wish" for His saints to die, but He so values their lives and covenant relationship that when their physical existence ceases, it is seen as a costly event to Him, indicative of a future where He fully honors His commitment to them. It underscores that God permits nothing truly evil to befall His beloved in a way that is beyond His ultimate control and redemptive plan.
Psalm 116 15 Commentary
Psalm 116:15 offers profound comfort and insight into God's character. It serves as an assurance to the believer that their life, and indeed their very last breath, is not insignificant to the Sovereign of the Universe. This truth counters a worldview where life is cheap or death is random and meaningless.
Firstly, "Precious in the sight of the LORD" implies God's deep affection and meticulous care for His devoted followers. Their lives are interwoven with His purpose and love. When a "saint"—one who has cultivated a loyal and loving relationship with God—dies, it is not merely a biological end but an event of immense spiritual significance that holds great value in God's eyes. This valuation underscores God's personal involvement with His people.
Secondly, it speaks to God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. God is not passive but actively overseeing. He is never caught by surprise by the death of His saints. Their passing occurs according to His divine wisdom, timing, and often, His purpose. This implies protection until His appointed time, and that even in death, they are within His gracious hand. This truth also serves as a warning against harming God's people, for their lives are highly guarded by the Creator.
Finally, while the verse doesn't explicitly state what makes their death precious, various biblical themes provide clues:
- Transition to Glory: For believers, death is a departure to be with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23), a homecoming that God deems invaluable.
- Redemption Completed: It marks the culmination of their journey of faith and their full redemption from earthly toil and sin (Rev 14:13).
- Future Resurrection: It points to the hope of resurrection (1 Thess 4:14), as their lives are preserved for eternity.
- Faithfulness Honored: It's a recognition of their loyal love and faithfulness to Him.
This verse should inspire confidence in believers, remove the sting of death, and comfort those grieving. God views the death of His saints as something honorable, weighty, and significant.