Psalms 16
McGeePsalms 16THEME: The resurrection of the MessiahPsalms 16 through 24 form another segment that belongs together. In our songbooks today songs of like themes are grouped togethersongs of praise, songs of repentance, etc., are in certain sections of our books. Well, this is how the Psalms are arranged in this songbook. The theme of these nine psalms is the prophecy of Christ blended with the prophecy of the faithful remnant. Psalms 16 gives us the song of resurrection. This is the third messianic psalm. It touches on the life of Christ (v. Psa_16:8), the death of Christ (v. Psa_16:9), the resurrection of Christ (v. Psa_16:10), and the ascension of Christ (v. Psa_16:11). The resurrection of Christ is quoted from this psalm in the New Testament in three different places. This psalm is called a “Michtam of David.” The word Michtam is of uncertain origin. Martin Luther translated it as “a golden jewel,” which I think is close to the actual meaning. Psalms 56 through 60 are also called Michtam psalms. The messianic meaning of this psalm is fully established by the testimony of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, as we shall see. Let us call this psalm the Golden Jewel of David because he is looking forward to the One coming in his line, the One of whom he could say, “This is all my salvation.”
Psalms 16:1
This reveals the wonderful voice of the Lord Jesus Christ when He said He had come to do the Father’s will and had committed Himself completely to the Father (Joh_5:30). Christ purposely took a place of subjection on earth when He took upon Himself our humanity. Little manand all of us are pretty littlebecomes proud and tries to lift himself up. We have men in high positions todaypoliticians, statesmen, men of science, educators, and ministers, who almost take the place of God. But actually we are pretty small potatoes here on this earth. We don’t amount to much.
We were created lower than the angels (Heb_2:6-7). I have to take that position, but Christ did not have to take it. He willingly became man. I am glad that I am a man, but I also need to recognize what man really is. I rejoice in what God is going to do for me, and with me, and to all those who believe in Him. The psalmist says, “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” What a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ! It was a picture of David, and I trust it is also a picture of you and me.
Psalms 16:2
Have you ever ridden along in your car, walked in the mountains or by the seashore, looked up and said, “You are my Creator, my Redeemer, and my Lord”? Have you ever told Him that? I have a little grandson, and you cannot imagine what it means to an old man to have his grandson crawl up in his lap, put his little arms around him, and say, “You are my grandpa.” It is quite wonderful. And we have a heavenly Father who made us in His image, and I am of the opinion He likes us to come to Him and tell Him, “You are my Lord.” Have you told Him that lately? Don’t be like the proud people spoken of in Mat_7:22-23: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” These people called Him “Lord” and did not even know Him. When I call Him “Lord,” I want to mean it.
Psalms 16:3
You see, He is the Lord to His saints on the earththis privilege does not extend to everybody, as the next verse indicates.
Psalms 16:4
“Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another …” (you will notice that “god” is in italics in most Bibles because the word was supplied by the translators). It means that they “hasten after another” whom they think is God. What a picture this is. The pagan had what he called his gods; in David’s day they were Dagon and Baal. I am amused at folk who say they have no creed. A man said to me, “I don’t believe in having a creed.” I replied, “Yes, you do. Your creed is that you don’t believe in having any creed.” You cannot help but have a creed. There used to be a church in downtown Los Angeles that had one whole side exposed to the street. On it there was a sign which said, “No creed, but Christ.” Well, that was their creed and a good one, although it was oversimplification, and they weren’t quite telling the truth to make a statement like that.
Psalms 16:5
How wonderful"the LORD is the portion of mine inheritance." The Lord came to earth and took His place, walking in a world of sin and sorrow. He was a perfect stranger down here. He rejoiced in Jehovah. There was peace and joy in His life. He said, “My portion and my cup.” What is the difference between a “portion” and a “cup”? My portion is what belongs to mewhether or not I enjoy itit’s mine. My cup is what I actually appropriate and make my own. For example, what is put on my grandson’s plate at the dinner table is his portion. But frankly, he scatters it around and does not eat all of it; he only appropriates so much. He has a “portion” given to him, but his “cup” is what he actually consumes. Many people in the world who have been blessed by God with all spiritual blessings do not enjoy them. Their cups do not run over. They don’t have much in their cups. God wants us to enjoy life. Jesus said, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Joh_10:10). He also said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (Joh_15:11). Some of us have a little fun sometimes but not all the time. We need to be full of life and joy all of the time.
Psalms 16:7
What do you think about at night when you cannot sleep? The psalmist thought about the Lord. Now we come to the verses that are quoted in the New Testament.
Psalms 16:8
This is the psalm of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was the heart of Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost. “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [sheol was the Hebrew word, meaning “the unseen world”], neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day [from where Peter was preaching in the temple area, they could see the tomb of David, and Peter undoubtedly pointed to it]. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption” (Act_2:25-31). Peter said clearly that Psa_16:8-10 spoke of the resurrection of Christ.
There are several liberal expositorsPerowne is one of themwho say that Psalms 16 has no reference to the resurrection of Christ. When a liberal makes that statement, I have to consider what Simon Peter said. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, several thousand people turned to Christ and were saved, which brought about a revolution in the Roman Empire. With this in mind I feel like saying to the liberals, “How many are coming to the Lord through your ministry?” That is the real test. Simon Peter said that Psalms 16 refers to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and I am taking his word for it. Peter also said more on the day of Pentecost: “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Act_2:32-36). Obviously Psalms 16 refers to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul also quoted from this psalm. In Act_13:35-37 he says, “Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.” You see, Paul also said it was the psalm of Jesus’ resurrection. What we have in this psalm is quite remarkable. In verse Psa_16:8 we have the life of Christ. “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” That, my friend, was the pathway He followed down here, and it is the pathway I want to follow. Then in verse Psa_16:9 we have the death of Christ: “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” He died there upon the cross, knowing that God would raise Him from the dead. Then we have the resurrection of Christ in verse Psa_16:10: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [that is, the grave]; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Then we have the ascension of Christ in verse Psa_16:11:
Psalms 16:11
As you can see, this is a wonderful resurrection psalm, and it is so used in the New Testament. The resurrection of Christ is definitely prophesied in this great messianic psalm.