THE GOLDEN PSALM
Psalm 16: 1-11
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A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe |
Our psalm today is one of six in the psalter with the title of miktam. The older commentators suggest this to be a derivative of a word meaning suggestive of secrecy or mystery. In this spirit we might title these psalms as those containing precious secrets which reveal significant spiritual doctrines. This first of the mitkims is revered by two of the Apostles: Peter and Paul. Both reveal this Psalm as predicting the resurrection of Christ. Because of this content, this sixteenth Psalm has often been named "The Golden Psalm". In the book of Acts (2: 29-31) we read:
"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay."
In this way does Peter proclaim that the resurrection event was not without prophecy. Further on in Acts (13: 35-38) we read:
"'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you."
Here, Paul also affirms from the Psalm that the Lord was saving sinners through the Jesus who did not remain in death, but was raised up from death to ascend into heaven and there to sit on the right hand of the Father.
Let us listen to the revelation of David's greater Son in Psalm sixteen. We begin with verse one. "Keep me safe, O God" or guard me as bodyguards surround our President or as shepherds protect their flocks. We remember that Jesus was tempted in all points like we are. Even he wanted preservation from the power of evil. And so in these words revealed to King David, He sets the example to us, His followers. As He looked to the Lord, His God for preservation, so should we. Job had earlier described the Lord God as "the Preserver of men" and even counted upon God for his own salvation hoping for one such as Jesus Christ.
As Jesus calls on the Father, He is preserved, even as we are when we call out to Him. "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. David's hope is the hope of Christ. The hope of Christ is our hope as well. Preserve us Father in the Name of Jesus. His request, our request is not a vain hope. As we move on into verses two to six we find that there is a promise of preservation. Here we see that Jesus gave Himself to the service of the Lord for a specific purpose. See there where you are numbered in verse three. We reap the benefits of His delight, He calls us to be His own peculiar people: the saints in His creation.
It was for us and our salvation that He came, He suffered, He bled and died! But not all share in the Gospel According to David! Look in verse four. He will not pour out His blood or name their names in the book of life if they run after other gods. If we are in Him, we share in His portion which is described in verses five and six. There in verse five we see that the inheritance of Jesus is decided and it is secure. And while we might think only of an earthly inheritance, here the image of boundary lines is pleasant beyond delight. While the promise here is vague and our glimpse of heaven is slight, we may rest in the knowledge that if we belong to Christ, certainly that is an inheritance in heavenly wealth beyond our present comprehension.
We move on to verses seven and eight. Here we see that even as our Lord was strengthened in the darkest of nights before His crucifixion, so may we too find the counsel of the Most High. And in that counsel we can also find unmovable confidence to face our daily struggles.
We know that on the night that Jesus was betrayed He prayed for hours on end. We know that He asked that the He might not face death on the cross. And yet the Lord our God counseled and instructed Him. In that night of prayer Jesus found incredible strength. There is a verse in Scripture that illustrates this courageously. In Isaiah 50: 7 we find the dedicated obedience of Jesus described in this way: "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."
We can see the same confidence of Jesus described here in verse eight. Would we have that same confidence? What must we do? Verse seven tells us, we too should seek the counsel of His word and His servants. We must also be open to instruction through our heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. If we would do that more regularly we too will not be shaken.
We move on to our last division in this golden psalm. Here we see the promise of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And if He is raised from the dead, so too do we have a precious and future hope to share in His Glory at the end of the age. Each Lord's Day we celebrate the coming of that first Resurrection Sunday, which by God's promise had to follow after the terrible events of Good Friday. Jesus, our very own Lord and Savior went to the cross with the confidence of David's Psalms in His heart. "Therefore my heart is glad" And why could His heart be glad, why could He rejoice. Because He was secure in the hands of the Father. Just as we are assured of eternal life in His Name so was Jesus assured that He would not be abandoned in the grave.
Centuries before, God had shared with David the hope of Job and of all the other Patriarchs and Saints of the Old Covenant Church. Jesus would not be left in the grave, His body would not decay. On that night before He freely gave up His life for our sakes, Jesus was comforted by a heavenly messenger. The path ahead was described in full and the promised presence again with God filled Him with joy.
We would do well to remember on this Lord's Day that the same eternal promise is ours as well. Has the Holy Spirit made that known to you yet? Have you found the path to eternal life? It is all very simple really. All you have to do is accept the fact that the death of Jesus paid the price for everyone of your sins. If you can acknowledge that you may then ask Him in the words of this Psalm "Keep me safe, O God" and preserve my life. If you sincerely do these things you will soon know the assurance of all God's promises. Amen.
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Resources Used: |
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Spurgeon, C. H. |
The Treasury of David. | |
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Foundation for Reformation. New Geneva Study Bible . (1995) Thomas Nelson, Inc. New King James Version. (1982) | ||
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Psm 016a |
26 Marach 89 & 09 March 97 | |