Psalm 147 11

Psalm 147:11 kjv

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalm 147:11 nkjv

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

Psalm 147:11 niv

the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 147:11 esv

but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Psalm 147:11 nlt

No, the LORD's delight is in those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 147 verses

Psalm 147 11 Meaning

Psalm 147:11 reveals that God's ultimate delight is not in outward displays of human power, strength, or any physical attribute, but rather in the inward disposition of individuals. Specifically, the Lord finds favor and pleasure in those who harbor a reverential fear of Him—a profound respect and awe for His sovereignty and holiness—and in those who actively place their trust and expectation in His covenantal, steadfast, and unfailing love. This verse contrasts God's values with common human values, asserting that His pleasure rests on faith and internal submission rather than outward might.

Psalm 147 11 Context

Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise, largely focused on God's dual attributes: His majestic power evident in nature and His compassionate care for His people, Israel, particularly in their restoration. The psalm likely comes from a post-exilic context, celebrating God's goodness in rebuilding Jerusalem and regathering the scattered exiles (Psa 147:2-3). It transitions from God's cosmic power (creating stars, sending rain) to His particular tenderness towards the humble and afflicted.Verse 11 follows directly from verse 10, which states, "His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man." This immediate contrast highlights God's indifference to worldly power and military might. The surrounding verses repeatedly show God's preference for the humble, the brokenhearted, and those who recognize their dependence on Him, emphasizing His character as provider, healer, and sustainer who establishes justice for His chosen people, not according to human might, but by His decree and steadfast love.

Word Analysis

• The Lord (יהוה, YHWH, Yahweh): Refers to the personal, covenantal God of Israel. It emphasizes God's unique identity as the self-existent, faithful one who interacts personally with humanity and fulfills His promises. His delight is not arbitrary but flows from His character and covenant.
• delights (חָפֵץ, ḥāp̄ēṣ): This verb means to take pleasure in, to desire, to be pleased with, or to incline towards something. It's a strong expression of divine favor and satisfaction. It suggests that God's heart finds joy and contentment in specific human qualities, implying an active positive disposition rather than mere tolerance or observation.
• in those who fear him (בִּירֵאָיו, bəyir'āyw): This phrase points to "His fearers" or "those reverent toward Him." The Hebrew root yaraʾ signifies not merely terror, but profound respect, awe, reverence, and obedient submission to God's authority and holiness. It's a humble acknowledgment of one's place before a majestic and all-powerful God, leading to right living. This is foundational in Old Testament wisdom literature as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.
• in those who put their hope (בַּמְיַחֲלִים, bamyaḥălı̂m): This participle comes from the root yaḥal, meaning to wait, to hope, to expect with patience and confidence. It describes an active, continuous reliance and anticipation. This hope is not wishful thinking but a firm conviction rooted in God's character and promises. It implies looking beyond immediate circumstances to God's faithful intervention.
• in his unfailing love (לְחַסְדּוֹ, ləḥasdōw): This refers to "His ḥeseḏ." Ḥeseḏ is a crucial theological term in the Old Testament, denoting steadfast love, loyal love, covenant love, lovingkindness, mercy, and grace. It describes God's faithful, active, and enduring loyalty to His covenant people, transcending human merit or performance. It's a generous, enduring kindness rooted in a committed relationship.
• Words-group Analysis: "the Lord delights in those who fear him, in those who put their hope in his unfailing love."
  • The verse presents a divine paradox, especially contrasted with Psa 147:10. While human beings often value physical power or worldly might, God values an inner posture of humble reverence and confident trust.
  • The parallelism ("those who fear him" and "those who put their hope in his unfailing love") signifies that these two qualities are intrinsically linked. True fear of God leads to a deeper trust in His steadfast love, knowing His power is matched by His compassion. Conversely, genuine hope in God's ḥeseḏ naturally fosters a respectful awe of Him. They are two sides of a humble, dependent relationship with the Almighty.
  • This dual emphasis on fear and hope highlights the relational aspect of faith. It's not a transactional relationship but one where genuine respect and reliant expectation draw God's favor.

Psalm 147 11 Commentary

Psalm 147:11 provides a profound insight into God's priorities. It is a direct refutation of any human tendency to impress God through external strength, achievement, or self-sufficiency, as alluded to in the preceding verse. Instead, God's "delight" – a strong expression of pleasure and affection – is reserved for those whose hearts are rightly aligned with Him. "Fearing Him" signifies acknowledging His immense power, holiness, and sovereignty with humble reverence and obedient submission. This isn't a fear of terror, but of respect that prompts a life of faithful obedience. Simultaneously, placing "hope in His unfailing love" (ḥeseḏ) emphasizes an active, trusting reliance on His covenant faithfulness and abundant kindness. This implies a surrender of self-reliance, recognizing God's unchanging character as the ultimate source of help, comfort, and provision. The verse underscores that divine favor is not earned by might or merit, but is freely bestowed upon those who, in humility, both acknowledge God's awesome power and wholeheartedly lean into His steadfast, merciful love. It encourages believers to cultivate these inner spiritual dispositions, as they are what truly capture the heart of God.

Bonus SectionThis verse reveals that God's metrics for evaluating humanity differ radically from typical human criteria. In a world obsessed with strength, achievement, and visible success, God looks at the heart. This principle pervades the entirety of Scripture, where repeatedly the Lord chooses the weak, the humble, and those who trust in Him over the outwardly powerful (e.g., David over Saul, Gideon's small army, Paul's weakness). The concept of ḥeseḏ (unfailing love) is paramount here, as it's the divine characteristic that underpins and enables the hope mentioned. Without God's faithful, covenant love, human hope would be baseless. Therefore, fearing God, the majestic sovereign, and hoping in His ḥeseḏ, the benevolent covenant keeper, perfectly complement each other in demonstrating a truly reconciled and trusting relationship with Him. The verse implies that reliance on divine compassion, not human capacity, is the path to receiving divine pleasure.