“In Your presence is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11 NKJ).

The Hebrew word translated presence in this verse is paneh (paw-neh’) which has several interesting meanings. One of these is “to turn one’s face in a certain direction.” The image is that determination expressed in Luke 9:53 in which Jesus is said to have had His face set to go to Jerusalem.

“One of my joys,” David is saying to his God, “is knowing that You are facing me. You have set Your sights on my victory and triumph. As I follow You and go Your way, I am assured that my life will be a happy and successful one. You lead and I will joyfully follow.”

Another meaning of paneh is “to turn from something to something.” The Lord has promised that if we will repent (turn from our sins) and return (turn) to Him, He will remove our sins and remember them against us no more.

Like Paul, we can then forget those things which are behind and press on toward those which lie ahead (Phil. 3:13). It is a comforting thought to know that God’s face is turned away from our past sins and turned toward our future life and triumph. That kind of knowledge produces joy.

Another meaning of paneh is “personal presence.” In Exodus 33:14 the Lord states, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (NKJ). Bible grammarians such as Gesenius render this phrase, “I Myself, I in person, My person, will go with you.” This is another reason for full joy: our God is with us!

Finally, paneh means “to look upon with personal approval or with favorable regard.” No longer alienated, we can now have God’s presence. His look of acceptance. We can all be happy knowing that God is pleased with us.