The English word “delight” is used to translate three Hebrew words: chaphets (pleased with, desire), chashaq (cling to, love), and anag (soft, pliable). It is interesting how these words are used.

Perhaps most astounding is that God finds delight in us:

• “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me” (Psalm 18:19 NIV).

• “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11).

• “The Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory” (Psalm 149:4).

• “The Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:12).

• “I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more” (Isaiah 65:19).

• “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

As well, we are told to delight in God and His Word.

• “Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation” (Psalm 35:9).

• “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

• “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God” (Psalm 43:4).

• “Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands” (Psalm 112:1).

• “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” (Psalm 119:16).

• “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors” (Psalm 119:24).

• “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight” (Psalm 119:35).

• “I delight in your commands because I love them” (Psalm 119:47).

• “I delight in your law” (Psalm 119:70).

• “Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight” (Psalm 119:77).

• “Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight” (Psalm 119:143).

• “I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight” (Psalm 119:174).

Finally, God encourages us to delight in the things He has created for us:

• “They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights (Psalm 36:8).

• “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them” (Psalm 111:2).

• “Be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy” (Isaiah 65:18). To sum up: God delights in us and encourages us to delight in His creation, His Word, His salvation, and His presence.

To sum up: God delights in us and encourages us to delight in His creation, His Word, His salvation, and His presence.