Psalms 17:15 · Bible study
Psalms 17:15 Commentary: Satisfied in God’s Likeness
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the meaning of 'when I awake' in Psalm 17:15, daily communion or resurrection? Commentators, original language, and pastoral significance.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The psalmist stakes his hope on seeing God’s face and being satisfied in His likeness, in contrast to the worldly-minded who have their portion in this life.
- Key words: “See” (חָזָה), “face” (פָּנֶה), “righteousness” (צֶדֶק), “awake” (קִיץ), “satisfied” (שָׂבֵעַ), “likeness” (תְּמוּנָה).
- Main debate: Does “when I awake” refer to daily renewal of communion with God or to the resurrection at the end of days?
- Theological theme: The beatific vision, the ultimate satisfaction of the human soul in the presence and likeness of God.
- Best use: A powerful verse for funerals, for personal devotion on longing for God, and for teaching on the Christian hope of resurrection and transformation.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
WEB World English Bible 2000
As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
KJV King James Version 1769
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
I--in righteousness, I see Thy face; I am satisfied, in awaking, with Thy form!
Darby Darby Bible 1890
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And he sent forth his arrows, and he scattered them: he multiplied lightnings, and troubled them.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Yo en justicia veré tu rostro: seré saciado cuando despertare á tu semejanza.
Mas eu olharei para teu rosto em justiça; serei satisfeito de tua semelhança, quando eu despertar.
Pour moi, dans mon innocence, je verrai ta face;
Ich aber will schauen dein Antlitz in Gerechtigkeit; ich will satt werden, wenn ich erwache, an deinem Bilde.
Maar ik zal Uw aangezicht in gerechtigheid aanschouwen, ik zal verzadigd worden met Uw beeld, als ik zal opwaken.
Quanto a me, per la mia giustizia, contemplerò la tua faccia, mi sazierò, al mio risveglio, della tua sembianza.
Ale ja w sprawiedliwości oglądam oblicze twoje; gdy się ocucę, nasycony będę obrazem obliczności twojej.
Пустил стрелы Свои и рассеял их, множество молний, и рассыпал их.
至於我，我必在義中 見 你的面；我醒了的時候，得見（或譯：著）你的形像 就心滿意足了。
As for me, I will see your face in righteousness: when I am awake it will be joy enough for me to see your form.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 17:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Psalm 17:15 captures the psalmist’s decisive contrast to the worldly-minded of the previous verse. Where the wicked find their portion in this life, David stakes his hope on seeing God’s face and being satisfied in His likeness. The emphatic pronoun “I” (אֲנִי) opens the verse with deliberate confrontation. Barnes notes that “this is the highest object before the mind of a truly religious man.” The vision of God’s face is a privilege tied to righteousness; the Cambridge Bible observes that “righteousness is the condition of that beholding.” Yet the precise meaning of “when I awake” divides commentators. Some read it as the resurrection of the dead (Barnes, Gill, Wesley, Keil & Delitzsch). Others interpret it as a daily renewal of communion with God (Cambridge, Alexander). Clarke sees it as the soul’s awakening from the sleep of sin to be restored to God’s image. Despite this disagreement, all affirm that nothing less than God Himself can satisfy the human soul.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Resurrection awakening: Barnes, Gill, Wesley, Keil: 'awake' from the sleep of death, supported by Job 14:12, Dan 12:2, and the contrast with worldly portion in v.14.
- Daily renewal awakening: Cambridge Bible, Alexander: waking each morning to renewed communion, supported by Psalm 4:8 and the immediate context of night prayer.
- Soul's awakening from sin: Adam Clarke: the soul awakens from the sleep of sin to be restored to God's image, drawing on Genesis creation and the regenerative work of the Spirit.
What is clear: The psalmist places his ultimate hope in God alone, contrasting his satisfaction in God’s presence with the temporary satisfaction of worldly people.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of "when I awake" | Christians agree that this phrase expresses the psalmist's hope for a time when he will be fully satisfied in God's presence. | Some see it as the resurrection of the body (Barnes, Gill, Wesley, Keil), others as a daily waking to renewed communion (Cambridge, Alexander), and still others as the soul's awakening from sin (Clarke). |
| The "likeness" (תְּמוּנָה) of God | All traditions recognize this rare term points to a direct, intimate vision of God, as granted to Moses in Numbers 12:8. | Eastern Orthodox theology emphasizes theōsis, becoming partakers of divine nature; Western Reformed traditions emphasize a created glory and intellectual vision. Both affirm transformation. |
| Righteousness as condition | The verse teaches that only the righteous can see God, echoing Matthew 5:8 and Hebrews 12:14. | Catholic and Orthodox teaching sees this as infused righteousness (sanctification); Protestant traditions emphasize imputed righteousness through faith, with sanctification as evidence. |
| Relation to Christ | Christians see Christ as the ultimate revelation of God, the one in whom we see the Father. | Early interpreters (Jerome, Augustine) read the whole psalm as speaking of Christ's passion and resurrection; Reformed interpreters (Calvin, Delitzsch) see David speaking in his own person, with typological fulfillment in Christ. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The psalm is a prayer of David, likely composed during the years of persecution by Saul (Calvin, Delitzsch). The psalmist protests his innocence and calls on God as righteous judge. The immediate context (vv. 13, 14) describes the wicked as “men of the world, whose portion is in this life.” They are satisfied with earthly abundance, storing up wealth for their children. In ancient Near Eastern thought, prosperity was often seen as divine blessing. David refuses to measure God’s favor by material success.
The phrase “see your face” (חָזָה פָנֶיךָ) has deep cultic roots. In Israel’s worship, “to see God’s face” meant to appear before Him in the sanctuary, where His presence dwelt (Ps 11:7; 16:11). This was the high point of pilgrimage festivals. Yet David pushes beyond liturgy. He speaks of seeing God’s “form” or “likeness” (תְּמוּנָה), a term used only in Numbers 12:8, where God says of Moses, “he shall see Yahweh’s form.” That passage describes a direct, unambiguous encounter, a privilege not granted to ordinary prophets. By using this rare word, David dares to hope for an intimacy like Moses enjoyed.
“Righteousness” (צֶדֶק) is both the psalmist’s claim and the condition for this vision. He does not mean self-righteousness; rather, he asks God to vindicate his cause. At the same time, moral purity is required to stand in God’s presence (Ps 15:1, 2; Mt 5:8). The crux is “when I awake” (בְהָקִיץ). The Hebrew is a Hiphil infinitive, “to wake up.” It can describe awakening from natural sleep, from the sleep of death (Job 14:12; Dan 12:2), or metaphorically from a state of distress. The surrounding context does not make the reference explicit, so the debate has continued for centuries.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. One English translation (Douay-Rheims) diverges due to a different numbering system (Psalm 17 in the Vulgate corresponds to Psalm 18 in the Hebrew text; the supplied Douay quote is from a different psalm).
Reception History
Early Christian interpreters often saw Christ as the speaker or the object of this psalm. Jerome and Augustine read the whole psalm as referring to Christ’s passion and resurrection. The medieval church used this verse in prayers for the dying, expressing hope of waking to God’s likeness. The Reformers (Calvin, Luther) emphasized the personal faith and the contrast with worldly desires. In modern hymnody, themes of satisfaction in God and longing for the beatific vision recur across traditions, from evangelical hymns to liturgical chants. The verse continues to comfort believers facing death and to challenge those tempted to measure life by material gain.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Warrior’s Portion, David refuses the world’s definition of success (v.14). His treasure is not in fields or children but in the vision of God.
- The Waiting Soul, Righteousness is the pathway to seeing God (Mt 5:8). David does not claim perfection but a heart set on God’s will; his innocence before false charges is part of that.
- The Waking Hope, Whether at dawn or at the resurrection, the moment of waking will be the moment of satisfaction. The soul rests until then.
Five-point outline
- Emphatic Identity, “As for me” (אֲנִי): David marks himself off from the crowd. He knows what he wants.
- Seeing God’s Face, Not a metaphor for approval but a real encounter. The temple language gives way to personal intimacy.
- Righteousness Required, No one can see God without holiness. David pleads his cause and also his character, but the final righteousness is God’s gift.
- The Satisfaction of the Spirit, The verb “satisfy” (שָׂבֵעַ) means to be fully filled, like a feast. Earthly goods leave one hungry; God alone fills.
- Awakening to Likeness, The resurrection hope (if that is the reading) or the daily morning renewal. Either way, it is the moment when faith becomes sight, and we become like Him (1 Jn 3:2).
Illustration hooks
- A child who knows that the best part of a birthday party is not the presents but the parent’s presence and smile. David wants the Giver, not the gifts.
- The feeling of waking from a nightmare and recognizing the familiar room, the relief of a safe reality. For David, waking from the nightmare of persecution into the presence of God.
- A long-distance relationship where the couple lives for the next meeting. Every moment is bearable because the reunion is sure.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I know whether my desire for God is genuine or just religious duty?
- What does it mean to be “satisfied” with God, can that be experienced now or only after death?
- If David asserts his righteousness, how does that fit with our need for grace?
Leading a Discussion
This verse challenges us to examine what we truly long for. David draws a sharp line between his own hope and the satisfaction of those who live only for this world. Use the questions below to help your group explore the depth of this contrast.
Discussion questions
- Read Psalm 17:13, 15. What contrast does David draw? How does this challenge your own definition of “a good life”?
- The phrase “see your face” appears often in Psalms. What did it mean for an Israelite going to the temple? What might it mean for you today?
- Why does David connect righteousness with seeing God’s face? Is he claiming sinlessness? (See also Psalm 15.)
- The word “awake” is debated. What difference does it make if David refers to daily waking or to the resurrection? Can both interpretations teach something true?
- What does it mean to be “satisfied” with God’s likeness? How is that different from being happy with your circumstances?
- How does this verse reshape the way you pray about people who seem to prosper without God?
- David’s “as for me” is emphatic. What practical step can you take this week to make your desire for God your first priority?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 1:26 | God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” |
| Genesis 1:27 | God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. |
| Numbers 12:8 | With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?” |
| Joshua 24:15 | If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” |
| Job 14:12 | so man lies down and doesn’t rise. Until the heavens are no more, they will not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep. |
| Job 19:26 | After my skin is destroyed, then I will see God in my flesh, |
| Job 19:27 | whom I, even I, will see on my side. My eyes will see, and not as a stranger. “My heart is consumed within me. |
| Psalms 4:6 | Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes insists this verse refers to the resurrection of the dead, not simply waking each morning. He argues that the psalmist's deep troubles require a lasting consolation beyond this life, and only the hope of awaking in God's likeness at the resurrection meets that need.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin focuses on David's protest of innocence against specific charges of treason and ambition. He argues that David appeals to God for judgment based on the righteousness of his cause, not personal sinlessness, and that his enemies’ accusations stem from cruel pride rather than any wrong he committed.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge School commentary insists that "when I awake" does not refer to resurrection or the afterlife. The Psalmist prays for a daily renewal of communion with God and a waking vision of His likeness, not a dream or vision. The contrast is between the true life and false life in this present world, not between this world and the next.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
But I will beholde thy face in righteousnes, and when I awake, I shalbe satisfied with thine image.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill reads this as the psalmist's confident hope in the resurrection. He argues that "beholding God's face" points ultimately to seeing Christ fully in the life to come, and "awaking" means rising from the dead. The believer's complete satisfaction comes not from earthly prosperity but from being made like Christ at the resurrection.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the word "disappoint" here literally means to "come before" or "encounter" the enemy. They understand the verse to picture God confronting the wicked with His sword and His hand, emphasizing God's direct intervention and power.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch argues that David's hope to awake and see God's face points to resurrection from the dead, not waking from sleep or distress. They see this as a bold inference of faith drawn from his intimate fellowship with God, not a revealed certainty about a future resurrection.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry reads David's prayer for protection as both a prophecy of Christ preserved through his humiliation and a model for every believer. He stresses that the request goes beyond physical safety: David asks for his soul to be kept from sin, and those who trust in God's care may confidently pray for the same.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley emphasizes that the psalmist's true inheritance is not earthly wealth but the joy of God's presence, partially experienced now but fully at the resurrection. When believers awake from death, they will be completely satisfied, bearing God's own image on their glorified souls.