sha.a describes delight in instruction or commandments and, in child scenes, play or being dandled.

The term most often occurs where a speaker expresses enjoyment in God’s statutes, commandments, instruction, or consolations; it also appears in scenes of a child playing near danger and being dandled on the knees.

1. Taking pleasure in instruction and consolation · dominant

   In Psalm 119:16 and Psalm 119:47, first-common-singular Hithpalpel imperfect forms occur with statutes and commandments; the APB renders the clauses “I will delight.” In Psalm 119:70, a first-common-singular Pilpel perfect stands with instruction, while Psalm 94:19 has a third-masculine-plural Pilpel imperfect in the clause about consolations amid many anxieties; the APB renders these clauses with “have delighted” and “delight my soul.”

   Psalm 119:16Psalm 119:47Psalm 119:70Psalm 94:19
2. Childlike play or being dandled · common

   In Isaiah 11:8, a third-masculine-singular Pilpel sequential perfect occurs in the scene of a nursing child at the cobra’s hole; the APB renders the child’s action “shall play.” In Isaiah 66:12, a second-masculine-plural Polpal imperfect appears in the address describing nursing, being carried on the side, and being “dandled on the knees.”

   Isaiah 11:8Isaiah 66:12

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses “delight” in the Psalm passages, while its Isaiah scenes use “play” and “dandled.” These English expressions indicate the clauses’ presentation rather than fixed one-for-one renderings.