Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 116:15

Precious. Their death is precious (jakar); the word of the text is, in pretio fuit, magni estimatum est. See how the word is translated in other texts.

1. Honourable, Isa 43:4 (jakarta); "thou was precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable."

2. Much set by, 1Sa 18:80: "His name was much set by."

3. Dear, Jer 31:20. An filius (jakkir) pretiosus mihi Ephraim:"Is Ephraim my dear son?"

4. Splendid, clear, or glorious, Job 31:10. Si vidi lunam (jaker) pretiosam et abeuntem: "the moon walking in brightness."

Put all these expressions together, and then we have the strength of David's word, "The death of the saints is precious"; that is, (1) honourable; (2) much set by; (3) dear; (4) splendid and glorious in the sight of the Lord. Samuel Totshell, in "The House of Mourning, "1660.