In Psalm 16:1-6, David reminds us that we need to rely totally on God. There is nothing and no-one more important than Him in our lives! As such, we have a special relationship with others who think like we do. Although we do reach out, we should be wary of those whose beliefs and morals are different than ours, and we should prefer the company of believers. And one reason is the bond we share and the contentment we have in common. We are thankful for God’s care, blessing, and our current and future inheritance!
1 Peter 1:3-5 (WEB) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
In 16:7-11, we have a reference to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ!
Acts 13:34-38 (WEB) “Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.’ For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, was laid with his fathers, and saw decay. But he whom God raised up saw no decay. Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins.”
Just as Jesus was resurrected from the dead, so we too look forward to a resurrection. It’s promised. It’s assured! God is always at our right hand, and that’s why we have joy forever more.
John 5:28-29 (WEB) “Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgement.”
In Psalm 17:1-7, David cries out to God for vindication based on his own righteousness. We may be tempted to do the same. “God, help me because I’m righteous. Look at me and reward me!” However, we understand that it’s not our own righteousness that we should plead, but Christ’s righteousness. All our righteousness is as filthy rags. We receive mercy because of Jesus Christ:
Romans 8:33-34 (WEB) “Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
And maybe this gives us some additional insight into praying in Jesus’ name. Perhaps the reminder is that God owes us nothing, but Jesus died so that God could give us everything! We pray in His name, remembering His sacrifice, and asking for God’s mercy.
In the rest of the Psalm, David calls out for God to preserve and bless Him again. Do we have a little eschatological enlightenment here? Every Israelite understood that they couldn’t see God and live (Exodus 33:20). So how can David say that He will be satisfied waking up and seeing God’s form? If sleep is likened to death, then David is looking forward to the time he will be with God in eternity!
How about David’s plea to continue to be the apple of God’s eye? Or the description of a baby bird under the wings of a mother? Perhaps Jesus had this in mind when he said:
Matthew 6:26 (WEB) “See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?”
Thought for the day: We are the apple of God’s eye through salvation, and we should want to be the apple of God’s eye by our behavior.
Matthew 10:29-31 (WEB) “Aren’t two sparrows sold for [a copper] coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.”
