Psalms 17:15
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Study Note
Study Note
The culminating confession 'as for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness' has been interpreted both as a simple morning prayer (waking refreshed after a night of trust) and as a statement of eschatological hope for resurrection and beatific vision. The phrase 'thy likeness' (demutekha) echoes Genesis 1:26's 'image and likeness,' suggesting that the ultimate satisfaction is to see and be conformed to the original image in which humanity was created. Christian interpreters from Chrysostom through Augustine have read the verse eschatologically, linking it to 1 John 3:2 ('we shall see him as he is') and 1 Corinthians 13:12 ('then face to face'). The contrast with the wicked man whose 'belly' is filled with worldly treasure (17:14) sets up a comparison between temporal and ultimate satisfaction.
Other Translations
As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.
I--in righteousness, I see Thy face; I am satisfied, in awaking, <FI>with<Fi> Thy form!
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.
Cross References
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the …
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created …
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So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised …
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within …
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance …
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear …