Eternal fulfillment and joy are found in beholding God’s presence and being transformed into His likeness.
David, who is traditionally credited with writing this psalm and who reigned as king of Israel from about 1010 to 970 BC, expresses profound trust in God when he declares, “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake” (v.15). Here, the phrase “behold Your face” suggests an intimate relationship with the Lord, highlighting the psalmist’s desire to encounter Him personally. Rather than craving solely physical deliverance from enemies, David looks beyond immediate circumstances and finds satisfaction in the promise of divine presence, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.
The idea of “righteousness” in “I shall behold Your face in righteousness” (v.15) underscores the moral purity required to stand before a holy God. David looks ahead to a future awakening when he will be fully transformed and able to gaze upon God’s glory without hindrance. This echoes a hope pointed to in the New Testament, where believers will ultimately see the Lord face to face and be changed into His likeness (1 John 3:2). David’s assurance stems from his knowledge that God’s justice and holiness will ultimately prevail, and that he, by faith, will take part in that victory.
When David says, “I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake” (v.15), he affirms that true fulfillment is found in God alone. Amid trials and the threat of adversaries, David refuses to center his hopes on earthly comfort but instead yearns for the eternal satisfaction of encountering God’s presence. In this verse, “awakening” can also allude to the resurrection hope that spans both the Old and New Testament teachings, culminating in Christ’s resurrection as the promise of life eternal for those who follow Him (1 Corinthians 15:20). In this way, Psalm 17:15 invites readers to fix their eyes on the ultimate hope of divine fellowship and total transformation.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 17:15 meaning
David, who is traditionally credited with writing this psalm and who reigned as king of Israel from about 1010 to 970 BC, expresses profound trust in God when he declares, “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake” (v.15). Here, the phrase “behold Your face” suggests an intimate relationship with the Lord, highlighting the psalmist’s desire to encounter Him personally. Rather than craving solely physical deliverance from enemies, David looks beyond immediate circumstances and finds satisfaction in the promise of divine presence, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.
The idea of “righteousness” in “I shall behold Your face in righteousness” (v.15) underscores the moral purity required to stand before a holy God. David looks ahead to a future awakening when he will be fully transformed and able to gaze upon God’s glory without hindrance. This echoes a hope pointed to in the New Testament, where believers will ultimately see the Lord face to face and be changed into His likeness (1 John 3:2). David’s assurance stems from his knowledge that God’s justice and holiness will ultimately prevail, and that he, by faith, will take part in that victory.
When David says, “I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake” (v.15), he affirms that true fulfillment is found in God alone. Amid trials and the threat of adversaries, David refuses to center his hopes on earthly comfort but instead yearns for the eternal satisfaction of encountering God’s presence. In this verse, “awakening” can also allude to the resurrection hope that spans both the Old and New Testament teachings, culminating in Christ’s resurrection as the promise of life eternal for those who follow Him (1 Corinthians 15:20). In this way, Psalm 17:15 invites readers to fix their eyes on the ultimate hope of divine fellowship and total transformation.