What Does Psalm 111:2 Mean in the King James?
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The LORD’s works are not only great to behold; delight turns them into something you keep searching out.
THE MEANING
The LORD’s works are great, and they remain worthy of close inquiry. Delight in them draws you to search them out, so wonder deepens as you look more closely.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the idea that delight means simply enjoying the LORD’s works from a distance; here, delight moves you to seek them.
THE ROOT
דְּרוּשִׁים
derushim
GROWS FROM
דרש
To seek, inquire, or investigate.
“sought out” in this verse is derushim. The Hebrew presents the LORD’s works as objects of pursuit, not merely things to admire from a distance. The next phrase ties that pursuit to חֵפֶץ (chephets, delight or desire): searching is desire in motion.
ALSO GROWS
darash: To seek, inquire, or investigate.
דָּרַשׁ
This verb names the active search expressed by “sought out.”
midrash: Inquiry or exposition.
מִדְרָשׁ
This related word shows how seeking can extend into close examination of what is being studied.
חֶפְצֵיהֶם
chephtsehem
GROWS FROM
חפץ
To desire, delight in, or take pleasure in.
The word rendered “pleasure” carries the sense of desire and delight. In this verse, that desire is paired with seeking: delight is not passive enjoyment but an inclination that draws attention toward the LORD’s works.
ALSO GROWS
chephets: Desire, delight, or pleasure.
חֵפֶץ
This noun gives the desire behind the people who seek out the LORD’s works.
chafets: To desire, delight in, or take pleasure in.
חָפֵץ
This verbal form shows delight as an active leaning toward what is valued.
THE PATTERN
What is treasured receives sustained attention and pursuit.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.THE THREAD
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.The Hebrew word translated “delight” in Psalm 1:2 comes from the same root חפץ (ḥ-p-ṣ, chafets: desire or delight) as “pleasure” here. In both verses, delight draws attention toward what is sought: instruction in Psalm 1, and the LORD’s works in Psalm 111.
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