Psalm 17:15

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

a. NLT: Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.

b. NIV: As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: I -- in righteousness, I see Thy face; I am satisfied, in awaking, with Thy form!

d. Amplified Bible: As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You].

e. Septuagint: But I shall appear in righteousness before thy face: I shall be satisfied when thy glory appears.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: And I—in righteousness I shall behold Your face; upon awakening I will be sated by Your image.

1. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness:

a. I will behold [2372 * chaza][Strong: a primitive root; to gaze at; mentally, to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of:--behold, look, prophesy, provide, see.

b. face [6440 * paniym][Strong: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh {paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s) past, (un-)to(-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with(- in, + -stand), X ye, X you.]

1). I believe it is very interesting that this word is plural in this verse but elsewhere it is always singular. David here is writing about seeing God’s face. This example goes along with Genesis 1:26; Genesis 11:7, and implies the Triune Godhead.

c. righteousness [6664 * tsedeq][Strong: from 6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity:--X even, (X that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous) (cause, -ly, - ness).

1). Looking at all the translations and Hebrew definitions, it is clear that David is writing that he will be in a state of righteousness when he sees God’s face. David was given a revelation concerning righteousness. One of the big differences between the Old and New Covenants is under the Old, the sins are just covered, but under the New they are removed. In both Covenants. In each of the dispensations mentioned in the passage below, faith resulted in righteousness.

a). Romans 4:1-12 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

2). The Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians writes of the same thing.

a). 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2. “…I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

a. satisfied [7646 * saba’][Strong: a primitive root; to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively):--have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.]

b. awake [6974 * quwts][Strong: a primitive root (identical with 6972 through the idea of abruptness in starting up from sleep (Compare 3364)); to awake (literally or figuratively):--arise, (be) (a-)wake, watch.]

c. likeness [8544 * tmuwnah][Strong:  from 4327; something portioned (i.e. fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e. (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of favor):--image, likeness, similitude.]

1). What a powerful revelation that is fully backed up with the New Testament, but this revelation was even known in Job’s day.

a). Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

2). David words that he, David, would awake with God’s likeness is so bold but yet the Apostle Paul writes the same thing, that we will receive the same glorified body that Jesus possesses.

a).  Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

3). The Apostle John echoes Paul and David.

a). 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.