The term "delightest" is an archaic form of the verb "delight," which means to take great pleasure or joy in something. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to the joy and pleasure that God or His followers find in righteousness, obedience, and the fulfillment of His will. The concept of delight is significant in understanding the relationship between God and His people, as well as the attitude believers are encouraged to have towards God's commandments and His creation.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Delight in the Lord: The Bible frequently encourages believers to find their delight in the Lord. This is not merely an emotional response but a deep-seated joy and satisfaction in God's presence and His ways. Psalm 37:4 states, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This verse suggests that when one's joy is rooted in God, their desires align with His will, leading to a fulfilled life.

2. Delight in God's Law: The Scriptures emphasize the importance of delighting in God's law as a sign of true devotion and understanding. Psalm 1:2 describes the blessed man whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This delight is not burdensome but rather a source of joy and guidance, leading to spiritual prosperity and stability.

3. God's Delight in His People: The Bible also speaks of God's delight in His people, particularly when they walk in righteousness and truth. Proverbs 11:20 states, "The LORD detests those with crooked hearts, but He delights in those whose ways are blameless." This highlights the reciprocal nature of delight between God and His followers, where God takes pleasure in the integrity and faithfulness of His people.

4. Delight in Creation: The act of creation itself is depicted as an expression of God's delight. In Genesis, after each act of creation, God saw that it was good, indicating His pleasure in the work of His hands. This delight is further echoed in passages like Psalm 104, which celebrates the beauty and intricacy of God's creation, inviting believers to share in this divine joy.

5. Delight in Worship and Praise: Worship is another area where delight is prominently featured. The Psalms, in particular, are replete with expressions of joy and delight in worshiping God. Psalm 100:2 exhorts believers to "Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs." Worship is not merely a duty but a delightful expression of love and reverence for God.

Theological Implications

The concept of delight in the Bible underscores the relational aspect of faith. It is not enough to merely obey God's commandments out of obligation; believers are called to find joy and satisfaction in their relationship with Him. This delight is transformative, shaping the desires and actions of the faithful to align with God's purposes. It reflects a heart that is attuned to God's will and finds its ultimate joy in His presence.

In summary, "delightest" captures a profound biblical theme that permeates the Scriptures, inviting believers to experience the fullness of joy in their walk with God, in His law, and in His creation.

The Courts of God
... The courts where Thy gladness rejoiceth,. And where Thou delightest to be. ... The home
of the gladness of God,. The dwelling wherein Thou delightest,. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/the courts of god.htm

Forgiveness
... FORGIVENESS. Psalm li.16, 17. Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:
thou delightest not in burnt offering. ... Thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.'. ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xix forgiveness.htm

And the Lord Stretched Out his Hand, and Said...
... passing by sins? And now Thou dost withhold Thine anger for a testimony against
us, because Thou delightest in mercy. And Thou turnest ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 8 24 and the.htm

Of the Despising of the World
... world pass as a shadow. O lover of the flesh, what findest thou in thy
flesh wherefore thou so delightest in it? Does the form or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter ii of the despising.htm

All Glory, Laud and Honor
... 6. Thou didst accept their praises, Accept the pray'rs we bring, Who in all good
delightest, Thou good and gracious King. Copyright 1920 by NAM. Page 37-38. ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 26 all glory laud.htm

Of Our Saviour it is Said
... Of a broken heart also it is said, Thou desirest not sacrifice else I
would give it. Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/83 of our saviour it.htm

PM Bowring. Prayer of a Lowly Spirit.
... but Thou delightest To win with love the wandering; Thou invitest, By smiles of
mercy, not by frowns or terrors, Man from his errors. 4 Father and Saviour! ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/489 p m bowring prayer.htm

All Glory, Laud, and Honor
... Our melody we raise. Thou didst accept their praises; Accept the prayers we bring,.
Who in all good delightest,. Thou good and gracious King. Amen. ...
/.../holy week 143 all glory.htm

Of the Sacrifices which God Does not Require, but Wished to be ...
... or it may be the Psalmist himself, entreating God to be merciful to his sins, says,
"If Thou desiredst sacrifice, I would give it: Thou delightest not in whole ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of the sacrifices which.htm

Directions How to Lead a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... of hearts. Certainly, so much as thou delightest and takest up thy rest
on earth, so much of thy delight in God is abated. Thine ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xii directions how to.htm

Delightest (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Delightest (4 Occurrences). Job 22:26 For then on the
Mighty thou delightest thyself, And dost lift up unto God thy face, (YLT). ...
/d/delightest.htm - 7k

Delighteth (23 Occurrences)

/d/delighteth.htm - 13k

Liest (13 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 1:7 Declare to me, thou whom my soul hath loved, Where thou delightest,
Where thou liest down at noon, For why am I as one veiled, By the ranks ...
/l/liest.htm - 10k

Triumphed (8 Occurrences)
... David. (See NIV). Psalms 41:11 By this I know that Thou delightest in me, that
mine enemy doth not triumph over me. (See RSV). Lamentations ...
/t/triumphed.htm - 9k

Delight (213 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 1:11 Psalm 22:8; Psalm 51:16), for "observe," different reading (Proverbs
23:26), "no delight in" for "smell in" (Amos 5:21), "delightest in me" for ...
/d/delight.htm - 40k

Desirest (6 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). Psalms 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would
I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/d/desirest.htm - 8k

Delighted (56 Occurrences)

/d/delighted.htm - 23k

Wouldst (31 Occurrences)
... (WBS YLT). Psalms 51:16 For Thou delightest not in sacrifice, else would I
give it; Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering. (See RSV). ...
/w/wouldst.htm - 16k

Ranks (34 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 1:7 Declare to me, thou whom my soul hath loved, Where thou delightest,
Where thou liest down at noon, For why am I as one veiled, By the ranks ...
/r/ranks.htm - 17k

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