Psalm 17:15
“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. ”
KJV
Read in Psalm 17Meaning
The final hope to behold God’s face in righteousness and be satisfied on awakening expresses communion and ultimate satisfaction in God; “awakening” has been read both in ordinary and eschatological ways, so resurrection should not be asserted as the only possible sense of the line.
Deliverance, the portion of this life, and satisfaction in God
Verses 13–15 ask God to arise and deliver, contrast people whose portion is confined to this life with the speaker’s hope of beholding God’s face, and end with satisfaction on awakening in God’s likeness or presence.
Read carefully
The final hope to behold God’s face in righteousness and be satisfied on awakening expresses communion and ultimate satisfaction in God; “awakening” has been read both in ordinary and eschatological ways, so resurrection should not be asserted as the only possible sense of the line. Keep the verse inside its literary unit.
Reflection
Use this verse to bring truthful lament and dependence before God without turning the psalm’s courtroom or combat imagery into self-righteousness, retaliation, or harm.