(Read this post to see why I'm studying this particular passage in this particular way. Scroll down down down to see the entire passage.)
I say of the holy people who are in the land,
"They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight."
I say
Verse 2 also started with "I say". It was "I say to"; this one is "I say of" (or about). It's always cool to notice these elements of Hebrew poetry, since we don't have English cadence or rhyme or alliteration to add to the experience.
of the holy people
This is also commonly translated "saints," though I suspect the translators chose "holy people" to make it clear that the passage is not talking about the venerated saints honored by Roman Catholics. Biblically, every believe is a saint--that is, a holy person--not because we did any outstanding work or because we deserve the title on our own merit, but because Jesus has claimed us as holy.
Note also the word people. This was many years before the word "church" would be used to refer to all believers, but "God's holy people" is used throughout the Old and New Testaments; originally to refer to the Jews, and later to refer to all believers. This verse is NOT just talking about individuals. It is talking about what Ephesians refers to as a body working together as one unit, made up of many parts.
Be prepared: the next verse is a direct contrast to the holy people.
who are in the land,
Remember how I said the Psalms - or at least some of the Psalms - could apply to David, or to us, or even seem to be the words of Jesus himself, who wasn't even born as a baby yet? You'll see more evidence of this later, but because the word "land" is SO full of meaning in the Bible, I have to explore this concept. I'm skipping a lot because this isn't a textbook but off the top of my head...
Creation: Genesis 1:28-30 - Land, fully prepared with all things necessary for life and beauty, is a gift from God.
The Promised Land: Exodus 3:8 - A promise to bring God's people out of the land of oppression into the land of blessing.
New Earth: Revelation 21; When you read Revelation (the last book of the Bible), you'll see that it is first an undoing of the marred Genesis creation.
All this to say - "the holy people in the land" - this could be the church today. This could be specific members of the church who God finds especial delight in. Maybe David is referring to the priests. I don't exactly what this means but I can think of a few ideas, all truth.
they are the noble ones
I had to look this one up because "noble" doesn't seem at all a synonym with "holy." One commentary suggests that the word was used to describe leaders. Great people, like nobles (surprise surprise.) I find this explanation plausible, and I don't think he's talking about political or social leaders. I think he's talking about spiritual leaders, repeating the idea that the "holy people" are the noble ones.
in whom is all my delight."
The same commentary I linked to above suggests that this verse is a continuation of the whole theme of the chapter; it's all about the psalmist's connection to God (and I can't drive this point home clear enough; it's not just about MY connection to God; it's about the church, and this could easily be Jesus' prayer to his father in heaven while on earth!)
I take delight in my fellow believers; God the father takes delight in us; Jesus delights in his church. This is to be a joyful relationship.
NOTE: While I love reading commentaries, I try to just read the Bible for what it is. Humans writing about the Bible can never be quite as right as the Bible itself.
But sometimes it's helpful to get ideas from people who have broken it down. It's also totally fine to just say "eh, I don't get it" and maybe the next time I read it I'll understand it better.
On a personal note: "What would Jesus do" is a hard question to answer. But when you watch a friend do what Jesus would do in a situation, you go, "Aha! Now I believe THAT'S how Jesus would handle that." And then you learn something.
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