Psalms 116:15

PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS

"Precious in the sight of Jehovah

Is the death of his saints."

Where is the minister of the gospel who has never used this passage as comfort for the bereaved at a funeral service? "The word `precious' here means `costly,' as in Psalms 72:14; 1 Kings 5:17; and 7:9-11, where the same Hebrew word is used."[18] "The sense is that Yahweh will not easily suffer his saints to perish; the cost of their death is too great. In other words, the godly need Yahweh's help; and He needs their service."[19]

Delitzsch tells us that one of the oldest documents of Christendom, "The `Apostolic Constitutions' recommends the singing of these words at the funerals of those who have departed in the faith, and that `The Bishop of Antioch, full of blessed hope, met death singing these words, `during the reign of the Emperor Decius.'"[20]