Psalms 116:15 — Word Study
WLCיָ֭קָר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה הַ֝מָּ֗וְתָה לַחֲסִידָֽיו׃
BSAPreciousyâqâr [valuable, highly esteemed] in the sightʻayin [eye, gaze] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the supreme God] [is] the deathmâveth [passing away, end of life] of His saintschâçîyd [pious ones, faithful followers, holy ones]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יָ֭קָר | [is] precious | Adj |
| בְּעֵינֵ֣י | in [the] eyes of | Preposition, noun common feminine dual construct |
| יְהוָ֑ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| הַ֝מָּ֗וְתָה | the death | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute, suffix |
| לַחֲסִידָֽיו׃ | of faithful [people] his | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. |
| KJV | Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. |
| ASV | Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints. |
| YLT | Precious in the eyes of Jehovah [is] the death for His saints. |
| WEB | Precious in Yahweh’s sight is the death of his saints. |
| BBE | Dear in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints. |
Where they part company is יָקָר — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with two descriptive phrases providing context for the subject of the verse.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 116:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Value of Faithful Livesgenerated
Psalm 116:15 expresses the idea that the death of God's faithful followers is esteemed by Him. This verse is part of a larger reflection on the psalmist's commitment to God, emphasizing the significance of life and death in the eyes of the Lord. The surrounding verses highlight the psalmist's vows and gratitude, framing the faithful's passing as a moment of honor rather than sorrow.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 37:32–33 | Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, |
| 2 | Psalm 72:14 | He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 25:29 | And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. |
| 4 | Job 5:26 | You will come to the grave in full vigor, like a sheaf of grain gathered in season. |
| 5 | Luke 16:22 | One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָקָר, Ya.korgenerated
The Hebrew word יָקָר (yaqar) conveys the sense of something being precious or valuable. It is often used to describe items of great worth, such as jewels or esteemed individuals. In this context, it underscores the high regard in which God holds the death of His saints, indicating that their passing is not merely an end, but a significant event.
The adjective form suggests a quality of rarity and excellence, emphasizing that such deaths are not commonplace but are treated with utmost respect and honor by God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יָקָר (is precious) serves as the predicate, establishing the value of the subject, which is the death of the saints. The structure emphasizes the relationship between God's perspective and the event of death, presenting it as a statement of worth rather than mere observation.
The phrase בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה (in the sight of the LORD) indicates the subject's importance as perceived by God, further supporting the main assertion of the verse.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָקָר as τίμιος (timios), which also means precious or valuable. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the significance of the faithful's death, aligning with the Hebrew text's emphasis on worth.
The use of ἐναντίον (enantiōn) for בְּעֵינֵי suggests a direct focus on God's gaze, reinforcing the idea that He actively values these moments.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 116:15 tells us that the death of God's faithful followers is precious in His sight. This means that when His saints pass away, it is not seen as a loss but as something valuable and honored by God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God values the lives and deaths of His faithful followers, seeing their passing as an important and honorable event.
Saints refer to those who are devoted to God, living lives of faithfulness and piety, and their death is viewed as a transition to a greater reward.
The psalmist highlights death to show that even in passing, the faithful maintain a valued relationship with God, and their lives have eternal significance.
This verse teaches that God sees life and death differently than humans often do; He honors the lives of the faithful and views their deaths as precious.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to live a life that is precious in God's sight?
- How can we honor the memory of those who have passed away in faith?
- In what ways can we cultivate a deeper relationship with God to ensure our lives are valued by Him?
- How does understanding God's view of death change our perspective on loss?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers reference this verse to illustrate the value of faithfulness and the honor given to those who die in the Lord.
“For the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those who hope in his mercy, to deliver their souls from death,” even eternal death, “and to nourish them in their hunger,” that is, after eternal life.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 116 →
Oh, what a spectacle was that to the Lord,-how sublime, how great, how acceptable to the eyes of God in the allegiance and devotion of His soldiers! As it is written in the Psalms,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 116 →
There they stood, victims of torture yet stronger than their tormentors. Their battered and lacerated limbs overcome the “claws” that tore and ripped at them.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 116 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 116:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BiblePrecious in the sight of the Lord [is] the death of his saints.
Read John Gill on Psalms 116 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryPrecious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 116 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe sets a high price upon it; he will not readily grant it to those that greedily seek it; and if any son of violence procure it, he will make him, pay very dearly for it; and when the saints suffer it for God’ s sake, as they frequently do, it is a most acceptable sacrifice to God, and highly esteemed by him. Thus the blood of God’ s people is said to be precious in his sight, . And, in the same sense, the life of a man is said to be precious in his eyes who spareth and preserveth it, as . God’ s people are precious in his eyes, both living and dying; for whether they live, they live unto the Lord; or whether they die, they die unto the Lord, .
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 116 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints.Ver. 15. Precious in the sight of the Lord] Rara, chara, God doth not often suffer his saints to be slain, Psalms 37:32-33; or, if he do, he will make inquisition for every drop of that precious blood, Psalms 9:12. See Psalms 72:14. This David delivereth here as a truth that he had experimented.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 116 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Precious . . .—This is only another form of the statement in Psalms 72:14. But again we have to ask why the thought of death should intrude upon the psalmist at this moment. (See Note, Psalms 115:17.) The answer is that, as in Psalms 116:8, a recent deliverance from death is spoken of. It is natural to take this psalm as a thanksgiving song for the safety, perhaps victory, of the survivors in some battle, but then the grateful community naturally and dutifully remember the dead.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 116 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. Precious in the sight of the Lord] Many have understood this verse as meaning, "the saints are too precious in the Lord's sight, lightly to give them over to death:" and this, Calmet contends, is the true sense of the text. Though they have many enemies, their lives are precious in his sight, and their foes shall not prevail against them.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 116 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15–19. Jehovah’s care for His beloved ones has been illustrated in the Psalmist’s experience, and for these mercies he will give public thanks in the Temple.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 116 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BiblePrecious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints - Of his people; his friends.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 116 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
Precious in Yahweh’s sight is the death of his saints.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
The Lord values the lives of his faithful followers.
Tyndale line
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saintes.
Strictly literal
Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints.
Precious in the eyes of Jehovah [is] the death for His saints.
Precious in the eyes of YHWH [is] the death of His saints.
Grievous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his pious ones.
Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of his saints.
Simplified
It hurts the Lord when those who trust in him die.
Dear in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads, "יָ֭קָר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה הַ֝מָּ֗וְתָה לַחֲסִידָֽיו׃" which translates to "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching all five words in a word-by-word correspondence. There are no significant differences between these two texts regarding this verse.
יָ֭קָר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה הַ֝מָּ֗וְתָה לַחֲסִידָֽיו׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 116:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָקָר (yaqar) means precious, rare, or splendid, and can refer to something valuable or weighty. It encompasses meanings like costly, excellent, and glorious, often used to describe precious stones or jewels. The word is built from a root that implies value, and it appears in contexts highlighting worth or reputation.
יָקָר adj. precious, rare, splendid, weighty
base
H3368 יָקָר precious, rare, splendid, weighty
3368 yaqar yaw-kawr'
from 3365; valuable (obj. or subj.): -brightness, clear,
costly, excellent, fat, honourable women, precious,
reputation.
see HEBREW for 03365
יָקָר (ya.qar) — precious.
1) valuable, prized, weighty, precious, rare, splendid
1a) precious
1a1) costly
1a2) precious, highly valued
1a3) precious stones or jewels
1b) rare
1c) glorious, splendid
1d) weighty, influential
Adj — AdjHAamsa
presh'-us (stands for 17 different words, chief of which are yaqar; timios):
(1) Generally in the literal sense, "of great price," "costly," "expensive," of material things (e.g. Pr 1:13; Jer 20:5; Mr 14:3 the King James Version), especially of precious stones (2Sa 12:30; 2Ch 3:6; 1Co 3:12 the King James Version, etc.).
(2) Sometimes "of great moral (non-material) value." "Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of his saints" (Ps 116:15); "his precious and exceeding great promises" (
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
Prep | N-cd — Preposition · noun common feminine dual constructHR/Ncfdc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
מָ֫וֶת (maveth) means 'death' and encompasses various aspects such as natural or violent death, the state of being dead, and the realm of the dead (hades). It can also refer to pestilence or ruin. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to die' and has an Aramaic equivalent, מוֹת (mot).
מָ֫וֶת 161 n.m. death
death, opp. life
death by violence
state of death or place of death
base
H4194 מָ֫וֶת death
4194 maveth maw'-veth
from 4191; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead,
their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence,
ruin:--(be) dead((-ly)), death, die(-d).
see HEBREW for 04191
מָ֫וֶת (ma.vet) — death.
1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead
1a) death
1b) death by violence (as a penalty)
1c) state of death, place of death
Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Art | N-ms | Suff — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute · suffixHTd/Ncmsa/Sd
(maweth; thanatos):
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND FIGURATIVE VIEW
The word "Death" is used in the sense of
(1) the process of dying (Ge 21:16);
(2) the period of decease (Ge 27:7);
(3) as a possible synonym for poison (2Ki 4:40);
(4) as descriptive of person in danger of perishing (Jud 15:18; "in deaths oft" 2Co 11:23). In this sense the shadow of death is a familiar expression in Job, the Psalms and the Prophets;
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in Scripture: (1.) “The dust shall return to the earth as it was” (Eccl. 12:7).
(2.) “Thou takest away their breath, they die” (Ps. 104:29).
(3.) It is the dissolution of “our earthly house of this tabernacle” (2 Cor. 5:1); the “putting off this tabernacle” (2 Pet. 1:13, 14).
(4.) Being “unclothed” (2 Cor. 5:3, 4).
(5.) “Falling on sleep” (Ps. 76:5; Jer. 51:39;
Is taken in Scripture, first, for the separation of body and soul, the first death, Ge 25:11; secondly, for alienation from God, and exposure to his wrath, 1Jo 3:14, etc.; thirdly, for the second death, that of eternal damnation. Death was the penalty affixed to Adam’s transgression, Ge 2:17 3:19; and all his posterity are transgressors, and share the curse inflicted upon him. CHRIST is "our life." All believers share his life, spiritually and eternally; and though sin and bodily is taken away, and in the resurrection the last enemy shall be trampled under foot, Ro 5:12-21 1Co 15:1-58.
חָסִיד (chaciyd) means kind or pious, referring to someone who is religiously devoted or merciful. It encompasses terms like saint, godly, and faithful. The word is rooted in the concept of kindness, often associated with God's attributes in contexts like Jeremiah 3:12 and Psalm 145:17.
חָסִיד adj.m. kind, pious (so, as denoting active practice of חֶסֶד, kindness, Thes MV De and most, cf. קָצִיר, פָּקִיד etc.; > Hup on ψ 4:4 RVm who expl. as passive reception of י׳’s חֶסֶד, cf. שָׂכִיר, אָסִיר etc.; its used as attribute of God Je 3:12 ψ 145:17, and the context ψ 12:1 Mi 7:2 etc., favour active sense)—
kind
pious, godly
base
H2623 חָסִיד kind, pious
2623 chaciyd khaw-seed'
from 2616; properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a
saint):--godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-
)godly.
see HEBREW for 02616
חָסִיד (cha.sid) — pious.
1) faithful, kind, godly, holy one, saint, pious
1a) kind
1b) pious, godly
1c) faithful ones (subst)
Prep | Adj | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Aampc/Sp3ms