Psalms 116:15

KJV

Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints.

KJV (with Strong's)

Precious {H3368} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068} is the death {H4194} of his saints {H2623}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From ADONAI's point of view, the death of those faithful to him is costly.

Berean Standard Bible

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

American Standard Version

Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 116:15 proclaims a profound and comforting truth: the passing of God's devoted followers is not viewed by the Almighty as a trivial event or a mere cessation, but as something immensely valuable and significant in His divine perspective. This declaration underscores the deep, abiding esteem God holds for His covenant people, assuring believers that their lives, and indeed their deaths, are cherished and held in high regard by their Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 116 is a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, falling within the collection of individual laments and thanksgivings. The psalmist recounts a harrowing experience of near-death, where he was "encompassed by the snares of death" and "the pains of hell got hold upon me" ([Psalms 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalms 116:3 - The Psalmist's Distress")). Having cried out to the Lord in his distress and experienced miraculous deliverance, the psalmist dedicates the latter half of the psalm to expressing his profound gratitude and vowing a life of faithfulness and devotion. Verse 15, therefore, serves as a theological anchor within this narrative of deliverance, affirming that even in the face of the death the psalmist narrowly escaped, God's care and esteem for His people are unwavering. It transitions from the psalmist's personal experience of being saved from death to a broader theological statement about the value God places on the death of all His faithful ones. The subsequent verses, like [Psalms 116:16](/psalms/116-16 "Psalms 116:16 - The Psalmist's Servitude"), continue the theme of the psalmist's commitment to serving the Lord, reinforcing the idea that a life lived for God culminates in a death that is precious to Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalms reflect the ancient Israelite understanding of God's covenant relationship with His people. In a world where death was often feared as an entry into Sheol, a shadowy realm, this verse offers a counter-cultural perspective for the faithful. While the Old Testament concept of the afterlife is less developed than in the New Testament, there was a foundational belief in God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death. The "saints" (Hebrew: _chasidim_) were those who demonstrated _hesed_—covenant loyalty, kindness, and devotion to God, living in accordance with His commands. Their lives were dedicated to Yahweh, and their deaths, therefore, were not seen as a defeat of God's purposes but as a transition for those who had lived faithfully. This perspective would have offered immense comfort to a community facing persecution, illness, or the natural fragility of life, assuring them that their devotion was not in vain and that God’s watchful eye remained upon them even in their final moments.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 116:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Esteem for Believers**, emphasizing that God's faithful servants are not merely cogs in a cosmic machine but are individually cherished and valued by Him. Their lives are precious, and their passing is not overlooked or insignificant in His sight. Secondly, it subtly underscores God's **Sovereignty Over Life and Death**. While death is a universal human experience, for His saints, it is a transition overseen and valued by the Creator, implying that even in death, they remain under His protective care. This theme is echoed in other psalms that speak of God's control over all aspects of existence, such as [Psalms 139:16](/psalms/139-16 "Psalms 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days"). Thirdly, the verse offers profound **Comfort in Bereavement**. For those grieving the loss of a loved one who was a "saint," it assures them that the departed are precious in God's sight, transforming grief into hope by suggesting that death for the believer is not a tragic end but a sacred moment in God's eternal plan. Finally, implicitly, it points to a **Transition to God's Presence**, suggesting that death for the saint is not annihilation but a passage into the Lord's presence, where they are eternally secure. This foreshadows the New Testament understanding of believers being [absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord](/2_corinthians/5-8 "2 Corinthians 5:8 - Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Precious (Hebrew, _yaqar'_):** This word (יָקָר) carries the meaning of valuable, costly, weighty, or highly esteemed. It is used elsewhere to describe valuable stones ([1 Kings 10:2](/1_kings/10-2 "1 Kings 10:2 - Queen of Sheba's Gifts")), gold ([Proverbs 17:8](/proverbs/17-8 "Proverbs 17:8 - A Bribe is a Precious Stone")), or something rare and difficult to obtain ([1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - Rareness of God's Word")). When applied to the death of His saints, it signifies that God does not view their passing as a loss or a tragedy in the human sense, but as something of great worth and significance, an event that holds divine value and is regarded with profound care and attention.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** This refers to the sacred, covenantal name of God, Yahweh (יְהוָה). The use of this specific name emphasizes God's personal, relational, and unchanging character. It is the God who has entered into covenant with His people, who delivers them, and who remains faithful to them through life and death. The preciousness of the saints' death is not in the eyes of a distant deity but in the sight of the personal, loving, and sovereign God of Israel, who intimately knows and cares for His own.
* **Saints (Hebrew, _chasid'_):** The term (חָסִיד) derives from the Hebrew word _hesed_, which means steadfast love, loyal kindness, or covenant faithfulness. A _chasid_ is one who demonstrates _hesed_ towards God and others, a person who is godly, pious, merciful, and devoted. These are individuals who live in faithful obedience to God's covenant, reflecting His own character of _hesed_. Their death is precious because their lives were dedicated to God, embodying His character and fulfilling His purposes on earth. Their passing marks the completion of a life lived in devoted relationship with the One who values them so highly.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Precious in the sight of the LORD":** This opening phrase establishes the divine perspective. It is not human sentiment or earthly value that is being described, but God's own estimation. The word "precious" (יָקָר, _yaqar_) indicates something highly valued, costly, or esteemed. For God to consider something "precious in His sight" means it holds immense significance and is regarded with profound care and attention by the Almighty. This anthropomorphic expression emphasizes God's active engagement and emotional investment in the lives and deaths of His people.
* **"[is] the death":** The subject of God's precious regard is "death," which is typically perceived by humanity as a tragic end, a loss, or an enemy. However, for the believer, this verse reframes death. It is not an arbitrary or meaningless event, nor is it a defeat. Instead, it is an event that, when it pertains to His saints, carries a unique and positive value in God's eyes. This challenges the common human perception of death, suggesting a divine purpose and dignity even in this final transition.
* **"of his saints.":** The beneficiaries of this divine estimation are "his saints" (חָסִיד, _chasid_). These are not perfect people, but those who are devoted to God, who live in covenant faithfulness, and who demonstrate _hesed_ (steadfast love/loyalty) in their lives. Their lives are consecrated to God, and thus their deaths are seen as the culmination of a life lived in His service. The possessive "his" underscores the intimate, personal relationship God has with these individuals, reinforcing that their passing is not an anonymous event but one deeply connected to their loving Lord.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "in the sight of the LORD," attributing human-like perception and valuing to God, making His care more relatable and immediate. This device allows the psalmist to convey God's personal attention to the individual. There is also a subtle **Paradox** or **Irony** at play: death, typically the ultimate enemy and source of sorrow, is here declared "precious." This unexpected juxtaposition elevates the spiritual reality above the physical one, transforming a perceived tragedy into an event of divine significance. Furthermore, the verse functions as a profound **Theological Proclamation**, a declarative statement that asserts a foundational truth about God's character and His relationship with His faithful people. The concise and direct nature of the statement lends it an aphoristic quality, making it memorable and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 116:15 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting God's deep and abiding care for His people, even in their final moments. It redefines death for the believer, transforming it from a dreaded end into an event of divine significance and value. This verse underscores the truth that a life lived in devotion to God is never in vain, and its culmination is not overlooked but cherished by the Creator. It speaks to God's sovereignty over all life and death, assuring believers that their ultimate destiny is secure in His hands. The "preciousness" implies not only value but also protection and a sense of completion in God's eternal plan, offering immense comfort to those who grieve and profound hope to those who face their own mortality.

* [Psalm 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalm 23:4 - The Lord is My Shepherd")
* [2 Corinthians 5:8](/2_corinthians/5-8 "2 Corinthians 5:8 - Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord")
* [Revelation 14:13](/revelation/14-13 "Revelation 14:13 - Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 116:15 offers immense comfort and encouragement for believers today, profoundly shaping our perspective on life, death, and God's unwavering love. It reminds us that our lives, and indeed our deaths, are not random or meaningless in God's grand design; rather, we are deeply cherished by Him from the moment of our creation until our last breath and beyond. For those who mourn the loss of a loved one who was a "saint," this verse transforms grief into hope, assuring them that the departed is not merely gone but is "precious in the sight of the LORD," now in His eternal presence. This truth can alleviate the sting of death, knowing that God's care extends even beyond physical life. Furthermore, it reinforces the call to live a life of faith and devotion, knowing that our ultimate destination is with the One who values us so highly. The death of a believer is thus portrayed not as a defeat, but as a solemn yet triumphant transition into the eternal presence of God, where all sorrow and suffering cease.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's perspective on the death of His saints change your view of mortality and the afterlife?**
* **In what ways does this verse offer comfort to those who are grieving the loss of a faithful loved one?**
* **What does "living as a saint" mean in your daily life, in light of God's precious regard for His devoted followers?**
* **How might this verse encourage you to live a life more fully surrendered to God, knowing that your life and death are significant to Him?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God rejoices in the death of His saints?**

Answer: No, the verse does not imply that God rejoices in the act of death itself, which is a consequence of sin and an enemy ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy, Death")). Rather, "precious" (יָקָר, _yaqar_) signifies that the *event* of a saint's death holds profound value and significance in God's eyes. It means God deeply cares about His faithful ones even in their passing, that their lives were valuable to Him, and their transition is not unnoticed or unvalued. It speaks to the culmination of a life lived in covenant with Him, and their entry into His eternal presence, which is a blessed state ([Revelation 14:13](/revelation/14-13 "Revelation 14:13 - Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord")).

**What is the significance of the term "saints" in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "saints" is _chasidim_ (חָסִיד), derived from _hesed_, meaning steadfast love, covenant loyalty, or kindness. It refers to those who are godly, pious, and devoted to God, living in faithful obedience to His covenant. These are individuals who have cultivated a deep, personal relationship with the LORD. Therefore, their death is "precious" because their lives were dedicated to Him, reflecting His own character of _hesed_. It is the passing of those who belong to Him intimately, whose lives have fulfilled His purposes, and who are now coming home to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 116:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalm speaks of the preciousness of the death of God's faithful ones, it is the death of Christ that transforms death itself for all who believe. Jesus, the ultimate "Saint" and the perfectly devoted Son, willingly laid down His life, and His death was supremely precious in the sight of the Father, not because it was an end, but because it was the means by which salvation was accomplished ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). His resurrection conquered death, stripping it of its power and sting for all who are "in Christ" ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thus, for the Christian, death is no longer a feared adversary but a "sleep" ([1 Thessalonians 4:13-14](/1_thessalonians/4-13 "1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 - Hope for the Grieving"))—a transition into the immediate presence of the Lord, where to be [absent from the body is to be present with the Lord](/2_corinthians/5-8 "2 Corinthians 5:8 - Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord"). The "preciousness" of the saint's death is now rooted in the finished work of Christ, who assures us, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Through Him, the death of His saints is not merely valued but is a blessed passage into eternal glory, secured by His own precious sacrifice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 72:14

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

1 Samuel 25:29

Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, [as out] of the middle of a sling.

Psalms 37:32

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

Psalms 37:33

The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Revelation 14:3

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Luke 16:22

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.