Psalm 16 - Knowing God and its Blessings

Introduction

There are some passages of the Bible that can quite legitimately have more than one meaning. Psalm 16 is an example. On one hand it is only truly fulfilled in Christ. So Peter on Day of Pentecost preaching about death and resurrection of Jesus quotes last four verses of Psalm 16 to illustrate Christ’s glorious resurrection and ascension (Acts 2:25-28). Also Paul in synagogue at Pisidian Antioch quotes this psalm again to support his argument for the resurrection.

Yet this is also a psalm which the believer can take on his lips as he expresses his attitude to God and rejoices in the blessings which flow from this. The latter is to be our present approach.

A psalm which has influenced our hymns as well as sermons and prayers. Exquisite means of people expressing faith. Charles Wesley’s

“Forth in thy name, O Lord , I go

My daily labours to pursue”

Ends with the words:

“And closely walk with thee to heaven”

Wesley based his hymn on this psalm, and as usual it is full of allusions to this and other scriptures.

Summary of psalm – the God-centred life and blessings which flow from it. Redeemed not just as insurance policy to save from hell, but that henceforth we should live a life not self-centred any longer but God-centred. Utterly single-minded that God is centre of the life. Life revolves around God. God is all that matters. Not self-centred, but lived with God’s help. Self is now on circumference and God is at the centre. Not God serving us, but us serving God.

Personally becoming increasingly important. Not to settle for anything less. Not Christian work centred, denomination centred, or church centred or doctrine centred (though all have their place), but God centred. Without the Lord at the centre, all else is an empty shell.

Attitude to God

God is the one all-sufficient good in his life. God is in supreme place. We do not own selves. He asserts his dominion over us. Not own master.

Security in God. In you I take refuge (v1). Not looking to own resources but God’s.

“Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee” (W.Cushing)

Lord is his owner and master. Finds his all in God. Apart from you I have no good thing (v2). Fills his whole being with his sufficiency.

“Thou, O Christ, art all I want;

More than all in thee I find” (Charles Wesley)

Handley Moule - No interests outside his. Seek no gain or praise except for him.

Makes God’s people his people. The saints .. in whom is all my delight (v3). Recognises deep bond between himself and all God’s people. Most at ease and pleasure when in company of God’s people. Ever been in place or gathering when, as a Christian, feel totally isolated? Then find a believer – what a relief and support.

Sorrow for those who do not know God (v4), and not to be influenced by them in their beliefs and follow them in their practices. Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup (v5), but A.V. has better translation of the Hebrew: The Lord is the portion of my inheritance. Whether he has much of this world’s goods or not, the Lord is his inheritance. In Canaan, portions were allotted to various people. The psalmist says the portion allotted to him is the Lord, as he was to priests and Levites (Numbers 8:20). The reference to “my cup” may refer to temporal blessings. You have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely I have a delightful inheritance (v6). Picture of land being divided and portions are measured by ropes and lines. When Lord is assigned to him as his inheritance, he recognises he has been given a pleasant place and delightful inheritance. The Lord means everything to him and he fully satisfies. Not just his gifts delight us, but the Lord himself. He satisfies the longing soul and Fills the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9).

So God means everything to him. Present possession and only hope for the future. New Testament equivalent is found twice in Philippians. For to me, to live is Christ (Phil 1:21); I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection (Phil 3:10). Total single-mindedness. This is what God calls us to do. Many other things occupy lives – job, home, Christian work, relaxation, church. But all in subordination to him and in his will and for his glory. The Lord Jesus himself said he must be about his Father’s business (Luke 2:49), and that My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work (John 4:34). If the Saviour lived to God alone, always and in every way, then so should his people. God has to mean all to us. Supreme in life. Pleasing him has to be our overwhelming concern.

A. Judson: “If any of you enter the Gospel ministry in this or other lands, let not your object be so much to do your duty or even to save souls, though these should have a place in you motives, as to please the Lord Jesus Christ. Let this be your ruling motive in all you do”. To hear someone saying “I’m hungry for God” is satisfying, thrilling, challenging. Would that more Christians would and could say it. So often someone else and something else takes supreme place – usually themselves, or some related thing. So easy to settle for something less than God, even as Christians.

When God in supreme place, the world’s pleasures seem less attractive. Everything is transformed. Christian life is not a severe task or awful weariness, but a delight. Where do we stand regarding this?

Blessings which follow this relationship with God

Matthew Henry, on deathbed, to visitor: “You have heard the dying words of many men. Now you shall hear mine – Life spent in communion with God is the pleasantest life in all the world”.

The Lord blesses with guidance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me (v7). God gives him advice, shows him way to go, directs his path. Isaiah described him as Wonderful counsellor (Isaiah 9:6). Instructions come to him at night. In quietness and on his own at night. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night – prudent move, or because rabbis studied law at night, therefore likely to be undisturbed.

“If in the night I sleepless lie,

My soul with heavenly thoughts supply” (Thomas Ken)

Jesus himself went to the mountainside to pray (Luke 6:12) and spent whole night in prayer. During the last week, he taught in the Temple by day, and spent the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37).

Security and stability are also blessings from the Lord. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken (v8). Person at our right hand will stand by us and support us in battle and in every situation. Need to recognise God’s presence all around us and in every event. When we wake up he is there. In all arrangements of the day and at its close. For in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations (Psalm 90:1). We need to practice the presence of God. Never alone, comfort in trial, wisdom in decisions. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you (Isaiah 43:2). Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me (Psalm 23:4). God gives us stability in life. With eyes on the Lord, we can know what to do, stand firm, speak wisely. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord (Psalm 112:7).

The Christian need have no fear of death (v10). Grave not to have the last word. Not end in corruption. Especially true of Christ and his resurrection. But because we are in him, we know death is not the end for us.

Psalm ends on triumphant note. God has disclosed path of life. Filled with joy in his presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand (v11). No verse shows up how worthwhile it is to be a believer than this. World talks about its pleasures and good times. But how deep are they and how long do they last? All well while men are healthy and merry and with some money. But what use in sickness, bereavement, infirmity of age and death? What value in judgement face to face with God? Sir Walter Scott dying asked servant Lockhart to read to him. “Which book?” the servant asked, for Scott had a vast library. “There is only one book any use to me”, so he read him John 14.

“Solid joys and lasting treasures

None but Zion’s children know” (John Newton)

Conclusion

Prospects for future are glorious but we do not have to wait for that. Blessing already now. N.B. Eternal life is a present possession. He who has the Son has life (1 John 5:12). You fill me with joy in your presence (Psalm 16:11). Hebrew word for “fill” compares with Hebrew word for “satisfies” in I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness (Psalm 17:15). The nearer we get to God, more obedient, and more submissive – the more we enjoy present blessings here and now.