The term "pleaseth" is an archaic form of the verb "please," often found in older translations of the Bible. It conveys the idea of finding favor or satisfaction, particularly in the eyes of God or a person of authority. In the context of Scripture, actions or offerings that "pleaseth" the Lord are those that align with His will and commandments, reflecting a heart of obedience and reverence.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Favor: The concept of pleasing God is central to the life of faith. In the Old Testament, offerings and sacrifices that "pleaseth" the Lord are those given with a pure heart and sincere devotion. For instance, in the account of Cain and Abel, Abel's offering is accepted because it is given in faith, whereas Cain's is not (Genesis 4:4-5). This illustrates that what "pleaseth" God is not merely the act itself but the heart behind it.

2. Obedience and Righteousness: Pleasing God is often associated with living a life of obedience and righteousness. In Proverbs 16:7 , it is written, "When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." This verse highlights the blessings that come from living in a manner that "pleaseth" God, suggesting that divine favor extends to harmonious relationships and peace.

3. Faith as Pleasing to God: The New Testament emphasizes faith as a key element that "pleaseth" God. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This underscores the importance of faith as foundational to a relationship with God, indicating that trust and belief are what truly "pleaseth" Him.

4. Moral and Ethical Conduct: The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of living in a way that "pleaseth" God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:1 , he exhorts believers, "Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us." Here, the emphasis is on moral and ethical conduct as a reflection of one's commitment to God.

5. Sacrificial Living: Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This act of sacrificial living is described as a "spiritual act of worship," indicating that what "pleaseth" God is a life dedicated to His service and glory.

Theological Implications

The concept of what "pleaseth" God is deeply rooted in the understanding of His nature and character. God, being holy and righteous, is pleased with actions and attitudes that reflect His own attributes. The pursuit of pleasing God is not about legalistic adherence to rules but about cultivating a relationship with Him that is marked by love, faith, and obedience. This pursuit is a lifelong journey for believers, who seek to align their lives with God's will, knowing that such alignment brings joy to the heart of the Father and fulfillment to the soul of the believer.2896. towb -- pleasant, agreeable, good
... good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness,
liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious ...
/hebrew/2896.htm - 6k

What Pleaseth God!
... WHAT PLEASETH GOD! ... The will of God is aye the best, In it we can so calmly rest;
Thyself to it anew resign, And only seek to have as thine What pleaseth God! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/what pleaseth god.htm

"There is no Dread that Fully Pleaseth God in us but Reverent ...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXIV "There is no dread that fully pleaseth
God in us but reverent dread". "There is no dread that ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxiv there is no.htm

Wie's Gott gefallt, gefallt's mir auch
... trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869. "What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me,. ... Firmly
on this, His will is best. "What pleaseth God I frankly take,. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/wies gott gefallt gefallts mir.htm

"God Willeth to be Seen and to be Sought: to be Abided and to be ...
... And this [dim] vision was a learning, to mine understanding, that the continual
seeking of the soul pleaseth God full greatly: for it may do no more than seek ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter x god willeth to.htm

How a Man Shall Know when his Thought is no Sin; and if it be Sin ...
... thought be not smitten soon down, as fast for frailty thy fleshly heart is strained
thereby: with some manner of liking, if it be a thing that pleaseth thee or ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the tenth chapter.htm

"The Goodness of God is the Highest Prayer, and it Cometh Down to ...
... salvation. Wherefore it pleaseth Him that we seek Him and worship through
means, understanding that He is the Goodness of all. For ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter vi the goodness of.htm

Of the Desire after Eternal Life, and How Great Blessings are ...
... what thou wouldst do. What pleaseth others shall have good success, what
pleaseth thee shall have no prosperity. What others say ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xlix of the desire.htm

That the Greatness and Charity of God is Shown to Men in the ...
... Therefore because this pleaseth Thee and Thou hast commanded that thus it shall
be, Thy condescension pleaseth me also; and oh that mine iniquity hinder it not ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ii that the greatness.htm

That Man Hath no Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory
... Yet it quickly becometh better when it so pleaseth Thee, and Thou puttest forth
Thy hand to help me; because Thou alone canst aid without help of man, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xl that man hath.htm

The Third Part.
... and primary grace, which the Baptist so urged: but then wee must bee zealous and
repent (as my text joynes them) or else no repentance pleaseth God; nor are ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the third part.htm

Pleaseth (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pleaseth (13 Occurrences). Genesis 16:6 But Abram said
unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. ...
/p/pleaseth.htm - 10k

Task (37 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 2:26 For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge,
and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up ...
/t/task.htm - 17k

Pleases (51 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 21:1 Rivulets of waters 'is' the heart of a king in the hand
of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it. (See NIV). ...
/p/pleases.htm - 21k

Likeness (52 Occurrences)
... gates, where it liketh him best," and in Esther 8:8 Amos 4:5 the King James Version;
Sirach 33:13 (the American Standard Revised Version has "pleaseth" in the ...
/l/likeness.htm - 29k

Liking (2 Occurrences)
... gates, where it liketh him best," and in Esther 8:8 Amos 4:5 the King James Version;
Sirach 33:13 (the American Standard Revised Version has "pleaseth" in the ...
/l/liking.htm - 14k

Liken (12 Occurrences)
... gates, where it liketh him best," and in Esther 8:8 Amos 4:5 the King James Version;
Sirach 33:13 (the American Standard Revised Version has "pleaseth" in the ...
/l/liken.htm - 16k

Inclineth (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 21:1 Rivulets of waters 'is' the heart of a king in
the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it. (YLT). ...
/i/inclineth.htm - 9k

Free-offerings (2 Occurrences)
... Amos 4:5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish
the free-offerings: for this pleaseth you, O ye children of Israel, saith ...
/f/free-offerings.htm - 7k

Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences)
... Amos 4:5 and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim
freewill-offerings and publish them: for this pleaseth you, O ye ...
/f/freewill-offerings.htm - 9k

Thank-offering (5 Occurrences)
... Amos 4:5 and burn a thank-offering with leaven, and proclaim, publish, voluntary
offerings: for this pleaseth you, children of Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah. ...
/t/thank-offering.htm - 8k

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