Favor (Chen/Charis) in the Psalms By David Harwood

There are only two examples of chen/charis in the Psalms. Let’s look at the first, Psalm 45:3 TLV.

Grace pours from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever. (Psalm 45:3b TLV)
 
“Favor (charis/chen) pours from your lips.” What does this mean?

Perhaps all that is being communicated is that the king is well spoken. It seems like the Psalm states that he has been enabled by God to be articulate, comprehensive, and persuasive. The New English Translation follows that line of thought.

You speak in an impressive and fitting manner! For this reason God grants you continual blessings. (Psalm 45:3b NET)

Or maybe the following is more like the sense of this verse: What pours from the king’s lips are gracious/favorable decisions. They are lovely wise edicts that reflect God’s concern for mercy and justice. Speech that is suitable to the situation. 

Let no harmful word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for building others up according to the need, so that it gives grace (charis) to those who hear it. (Ephesians 4:29) 

A similar verse to Psalm 45:3 can be found in Ecclesiastes.

Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious (chen/charis). (Ecclesiastes 10:12a) 

Grace/favor has been imparted to the king’s speech. This speech is guided by wisdom from above. God gives wisdom and the king communicates the wisdom he received. 

(Chen/charis) has been poured out on his lips (Young’s Literal Translation, Lexham English Bible)

The king rules graciously through the decrees he speaks. He sows grace/favor and reaps blessing. It is written, “Therefore God has blessed you forever.” I read that as a description of God’s response to those who are gracious/favorable to others. 

Next, I’d like to look at a powerful proclamation introduced by praise.

For Adonai Elohim is a sun and a shield. Adonai gives grace (chen/charis) and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:12) 

This is a wonderful description and an encouraging promise. It is the only verse where Adonai is likened to the sun. Worshiping the sun was prohibited. The nations might worship the sun, but Israel was to worship its Creator. (Deuteronomy 4:19) 

The prophetic picture of the age to come predicts that the glory of the sun will be eclipsed by a greater shining. 

No more will the sun be your light by day, nor the glow of the moon be your light, but Adonai will be your everlasting light, and your God for your glory. (Isaiah 60:19) 

See also Isaiah 24:23; 60:19-20; Revelation 21:23; 22:5.

The sun is part of God’s revelation of Himself through nature. Just as nothing is hidden from the sun’s heat (Psalm 19:6), so nothing escapes God’s notice. The sun’s shining reveals His activity. In Psalm 84:12 the sun’s light and warmth are highlighted as metaphors of God’s interaction with those He loves.

Our God still bestows favor on those who honor Him. They walk uprightly and receive favor/grace. He blesses those who walk uprightly with chen/charis and the result of that favor is honor. 

The testimony of Scripture is consistent. A giver of grace favors those who please the grace-giver. This is true with people who give favor and it’s true with our God.

Here are the two verses we’ve covered.

Grace (chen/charis) pours from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever. (Psalm 45:3b) 

For Adonai Elohim is a sun and a shield. Adonai gives grace (chen/charis) and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:12) 

Please note that in both instances (Psalms 45; 84) favor/grace is connected to blessing. 

It is written that Adonai longs to be gracious to His people (Isaiah 30:18). May we speak graciously and walk with integrity. Favor follows.

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