What does it mean that “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15)?
The verse “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15 ESV) is a profound statement about how God views the death of those who belong to Him. To properly understand this verse, it is important to look at the context and dig into the rich meaning of the original Hebrew words. Let’s explore what this verse means and what it tells us about how God views His children.
The Context of Psalm 116
Psalm 116 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise to God for delivering the psalmist from death. In verse 3 the author states “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.” It seems the psalmist was afflicted, perhaps with a life-threatening illness or mortal danger, and God graciously spared his life. He then continues in verses 8-9, “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” Now healed and praising God for saving him, the psalmist vows to serve the Lord faithfully for the rest of his life.
It is in this context the verse in question appears: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” After rejoicing in God’s deliverance and determining to live wholly for Him, the psalmist makes this remarkable statement about how God views the death of His holy ones. The contrast is stark – whereas the psalmist greatly feared death earlier in the psalm, God actually considers the death of His saints precious.
The Rich Meaning of the Original Hebrew
To fully grasp what Psalm 116:15 is saying, we must look carefully at the original Hebrew words used:
- “Precious” – The Hebrew word translated “precious” is yāqār. It means something highly valued, prized, and cherished. It is often translated as “precious,” “prized,” “valued,” or “rare.”
- “In the sight of” – The Hebrew phrase is bə·‘ê·nê, meaning “in the eyes of.” It expresses that something is precious from God’s perspective, in His judgment.
- “The LORD” – The divine name of God (YHWH) is used, emphasizing this is from Yahweh’s viewpoint.
- “The death” – The straightforward Hebrew word mā·weṯ meaning “death” or “dying” is used.
- “Of his saints” – The term “saints” (ḥă·sî·ḏāw) refers to those made holy by God. It means those set apart and consecrated to Him.
Taken together, a literal rendering would be something like “Highly valued/prized in the eyes of Yahweh is the death of His holy ones.” The songwriter is making a remarkable statement about how God views the death of His people.
The Contrast Between Man’s View of Death and God’s View
To humans, death is often frightening, sorrowful, or mournful. When someone dies – especially a loved one – we grieve the loss deeply. The psalmist himself described the “snares of death” and “pangs of Sheol” in verse 3. But God has an eternal perspective we lack. He sees things completely differently than we do.
While people may fear death or be saddened at the loss of a loved one, God actually considers the death of His saints precious. He views it as a highly valued or cherished event. What seems tragic and final to us is actually wonderful and joyous to God! This is because a believer’s death means their journey of faith is complete and they are finally in His glorious presence for eternity.
The psalmist hints at this eternal perspective earlier in the Psalm when he declares he will “walk before the LORD in the land of the living” after being delivered from death (116:9). Though he was spared and given more time on earth, he recognizes ultimately all the saints end up together forever with the Lord.
God Values His Children More Than This Life
God prizes His children even more than this earthly life. While we may struggle to let go of loved ones, seeing death as a cruel separation, God views it differently. He sees it as a homecoming – a precious child of His is returning to their true home to be with Him forever. Their temporary struggles on earth are nothing compared to the glory, joy, and reward that await them (see Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:17).
Every saint is so valued by God that He allowed His own Son Jesus to suffer death on the cross to redeem them. He was willing to pay the highest price imaginable so His children could be with Him for eternity. This shows just how precious they are in His sight!
The Completion of a Life of Faith
For believers, death marks the completion of their faith and the start of their eternal blessedness with Christ. Scripture describes the Christian life as a race of perseverance and faith that finishes at death (2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 12:1-2). When a saint dies, although it causes human grief, it means they have “fought the good fight” and finished the course, crossing the finish line into God’s arms. This brings Him great joy!
While still on earth believers walk by faith, not yet seeing the full reality of what is to come in eternity with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). But at death, the hope they clung to becomes sight! They move from the realm of faith to receiving their eternal reward, finally seeing Jesus face-to-face. God delights to welcome His children home.
The Spectacle of Saints Entering Glory
For reasons we cannot fully grasp from our limited human perspective, God finds the death of His saints powerfully moving. Hebrews 12:1 indicates all the heavenly hosts witness and are encompassed by a “great cloud of witnesses” as each saint finishes their race on earth. It seems to be a grand, worship-inducing spectacle in heaven each time one of God’s people completes their journey of faith!
Revelation 14:13 also notes that Christians find rest from their labors as they enter God’s presence: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Far from a period of uncertainty or soul sleep, death for the saved starts an eternity of blissful rest in God’s presence.
Death Ushers Believers into God’s Presence
For believers, being absent from the body means being present with the Lord in a magnificent way (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus promised the repentant thief on the cross they would be together in Paradise that very day (Luke 23:43). Paul said he had a desire to “depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” than remaining on earth (Philippians 1:23). Scripture indicates that when a saint dies they immediately enter wondrous fellowship with Christ.
This is why God can consider the death of His saints precious. While it causes temporary human sorrow, it means His children enter His glorious presence for eternity! They move from the realm of faith to sight and pure joy in His arms.
A Homecoming Celebration for a Victorious Child of God
Putting the full picture together, for the believer death is a homecoming, a celebration, and a reunion! At death the struggles of this life end. The Christian has completed their race and enters the very presence of the Savior they clung to by faith. Surrounded by angelic hosts, they see Jesus face-to-face at last. It marks the start of eternal reward and blessedness for a faithful child of God.
No wonder God treasures and delights in this! His precious child’s temporary sorrows are over. By faith they persevered to the end. And now they are home with their Heavenly Father for all eternity! What seems like a loss to us is actually victorious gain from God’s perspective. One of His saints has finished the fight. Their life of faith is now made sight as they enter glory!
This amazing truth should radically alter how we view the death of fellow believers. Yes, human grief and sorrow at the loss are understandable. But we can also rejoice that our loved one has entered eternal joy in God’s presence! Their race is won, their striving over. We can be comforted knowing they are at home with Jesus and we will see them again in glory.
The songwriter was right – the death of God’s saints is indeed precious in His sight. While we feel the temporary earthly loss, heaven is celebrating an eternal homecoming. One of God’s prized children has come home.
