I. Introduction
II. Psalms Sixteen Commentary Verses
16:1-Preserved By a Wing Outspread, in Which I Trust Completely
16:2-Thou Art My All-in-All Father God
16:3-4-All Ye Saints of Jehovah God Are My Heroes | Heroines
16:5-6-Great Savior God, Unto Thine Beulah Land
16:7-Thou Dost Counsel Thine in the Fear of the Lord
16:8-11-Because Thou Livest My Lord, We Too Shall Live
Figure 1 Fullness of Joys
English to Hebrew Character Mapping
Our purpose is to render a commentary on Psalm sixteen. As Psalm twenty-two, a Messianic psalm, prophetically relates the crucifixion and death of our Savior Jesus Christ through the lips of David, so David prophetically relates the resurrection and Life of our Savior in this blessed Messianic psalm.
We will follow this format:
Verse of Scripture utilizing the YLT text followed by an NASB mouseover of that verse. Key words in the YLT text will be footnoted with a link to a word study based on the Hebrew text, and/or a general discussion relative to the given word (we are not biblical Greek or Hebrew scholars, please consider our grammatical constructions with a critical eye). Verses three through six also reference the NLT text, not footnoted.
Commentary We shall be commenting on this passage keeping before us at all times the crucial fact that every jot and every tittle comprising these verses came forth under the inspiration of the blessed Holy Spirit. We pray that He, by His grace, helps us along the way.
YLT TEXT: A Secret Treasure [1] of David. Preserve [2] me, O God, for I did trust [3] in Thee. (Psa 16:1).
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of David-Preserve is cast in the imperative, trust is perfect in aspect; how are we to understand these verbs, their linkage? There seems to be a cause-trust | effect-preserve theological relationship motivating David. Why? What is the basis of this motivation from the perspective of the Old Testament theology David understood and embraced? It even appears to be a foregone conclusion in his mind that it is so: '...O, Preserve (imperative) Lord, I did trust (perfect aspect); Lord look at my condition, thou take notice of my heart, see, I trust thee...' It was likely a foregone conclusion in the heart and mind of David because this man David believed that Jehovah God is precisely who He says He is, and as such, that He is Able, like unto the belief and trust of the beloved patriarchs to whom God revealed Himself in a manner befitting only deity, and whom they then trusted as the (even their) very God: '...Lord I trust because I believe thou art the very One whom thou hast said thou art, Jehovah, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob...' (Mat 1:1ff). And it is noteworthy that as God revealed Himself in a manner befitting only deity to David's fathers, so He revealed Himself similarly to this great lover of God David. Importantly, these revelations, though unique one from another in their particulars, all had in view the unfolding of the Redemption of humankind unto Salvation.
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of our Savior Jesus-In a very special way, David was the mouthpiece of our great savior God, relating through him the unfolding of the Redemption of humankind unto Salvation, and as such we necessarily see the same conviction concerning God when our Lord Jesus trusts Father God to preserve Him Whole until Father and Son are reunited in glory per completion of the incarnate Jesus' salvific labors—needless to say, if ever anyone believed (knows) that God is who He says He is, and that He is Able, it is Jesus Christ (Jhn 7:28-29, 16:28). And O how Jesus nourished Himself on that knowledge throughout His ministry, especially during His tough last week of ministry (Psa 31:5-David<>Luk 23:46-Jesus; here is consummate Trust—Jesus knows that Father God is who He says He is—let us trust in His Trust, be encouraged by it, quickened by it unto stronger faith). God's program for humankind is built upon a foundation of faith and trust in Him (perfectly modeled by Jesus), which by default bespeaks of believing He is precisely who He says He is (“O, That Name!”— we know Him by His great Name through His Word). Faith in God (and thus Salvation [=Preservation]) cannot get off the starting blocks aright unless there is conviction that God is who He says He is. And to believe that God is who He says He is greatly honors Him; we believe that it moves His heart and hands—this seems to be borne out by the highly pervasive theology of faith in Jehovah God per se that pervades Scripture, that Dynamic [4]. The God of the Christian Bible, even Jehovah God, is after faith in Himself. Clearly faith in God reflects His place of preeminence in the hearts of His people (His Namesakes), who thus show they believe in Him and who He says He is, instead of other gods or self (one thing is clear throughout Scripture: God does not tolerate even a whit of competition [Exd 20:3-4, Mat 4:10, Eph 5:5, 1Jo 5:21, et al.]; it grieves and pains Him greatly, and certainly not entirely for His own sake). There is a highly practical side to His faith-in-Him mandate as well in that He alone is quintessentially Able: This capacity is “understood” by both David and Jesus in our verse and is half of the trust equation reflected by the verse: TRUST=JEHOVAH IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS+JEHOVAH IS ABLE [to preserve in this context; able per se in other contexts]: '...O Father God, Able [so David, Jesus], preserve [so urgent Father God; thou, able, canst do it...], thus I Trust, completely, in thee...' Does this not reverberate the theme of Salvation? Praised be Jehovah God, even the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob...and David, yea Him, who shows Himself Able (Mat 19:26, 22:31-32); shows Himself able to Preserve His Namesakes, blessed saints past, present, and future, to the uttermost; precisely in Him we Trust completely. Thus David and Jesus trusted (perfect aspect).
YLT TEXT: Thou hast said [5] to Jehovah [6], 'My Lord [7] Thou art;' My good [8] is not [9] for thine own sake [10] (Psa 16:2).
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of David-This verse sets the tone for the next several verses. David directs praise specifically to Jehovah God in his inner person (where it counts cf. Rom 7:22): “...Thou hast said to Jehovah...”, and affirms God's consummate Goodness to he David: “...My good is not for thine own sake ...”
Acquiescence, agreement, ascendancy, avowal really shine forth here. Having addressed Jehovah directly in his inner person, David straightaway acquiesces to his God and claims Him as his own: 'Thou, thou art my Lord...' he says. He gives Him the place of ascendancy on the throne of his heart—again: '...O Thou, thou art my Lord...' (so beautiful; contrast if you will the self-deification of untold multitudes of proud moderns; so ugly this spirit of Antichrist that asserts itself ever more going forward), and avows the same to His Lord by specifically having addressed Him personally by name: 'To thee Lord God Jehovah, to thee, I thus avow..' Nay, better the alternative expression: '...O it is precisely thee, yea thee, only thee Father God that I avow...' And David agrees with God that He is the very Source of his Blessing: “...My good is not for thine own sake ...” But more is surely implied—he agrees that Father God Jehovah is in and of Himself that very Blessing. Here is a tight, tight tether. Picture in your heart and mind God and David ever in fellowship one to another—God to David to God to David,..., David ever avowing his God: “...My good is not for thine own sake ...” Thus David defines Blessedness (Good) for us. Let us similarly fellowship with God one to another He and us (He claims He is willing-Isa 45:22, 55:1-3, Mat 11:28-30, Jhn 6:37, 7:37, et al.). Sweet Blessedness. Praised be Father God Jehovah for desiring it. We praise thee Father God and thank thee; thou art our Blessedness, art the very Blessedness that satisfies our deepest longings.
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of our Savior Jesus-Surely in this verse the pre-incarnate Jesus is speaking prophetically through David of His incarnate Servant Mission (Isa 42:1, 53:1-6, 10-11, 61:1-3, Jhn 5:36, “Isaiah Chapter Fifty-three Commentary”, “Jesus Our Jubilee”)—acquiescence, agreement, ascendancy, avowal: “...Thou hast said to Jehovah, 'My Lord thou art'...” (Jhn 4:34, 5:30, 6:38, 14:28-here is avowal in the extreme—compare our verse: “...Thou hast said to Jehovah, 'My Lord thou art'...”). Praised be your Name great savior God, humble (Phl 2:5-8), servile, trustworthy, Able; ever a sweet fragrance (Eph 5:2) pleasing unto Father God; our role model (Jhn 13:14-15, 1Pe 2:21), our Lord.
In the days of His flesh our Savior depended on Father God for everything (Psa 22:19, 88:1, Mat 26:53, Jhn 6:57, 8:29, Hbr 5:7, et al.). It is probably in this context that Jesus says through David “...My good is not for thine sake...” That is, these words of David are prophetic, and presage the total dependence of the incarnate Jesus on Father God when He ministered Salvation on this earth in the days of His flesh. No pretensions of self-sufficiency, rather, Father God is the very Source of His blessings (ministerial needs, needs proper, etc.); is in and of Himself that very Blessing. Imagine for a moment if it were not so—suppose the incarnate Jesus sourced His own blessings when He was here (the sundry miracle accounts clearly show that He could have)—this would mean that He was not fully made like unto His brethren in all things, those whom He came to redeem, and thus would have made Him less than the perfect substitutionary sacrifice (Hbr 2:17-18). But what we see here is precisely the opposite, both prophetically up front, and then by way of the total denial and sacrifice of self by the incarnate Jesus, which self-abasement we have tried to show a small sampling of by way of Scripture in this section. Jehovah God's prophecy in this verse is entirely vindicated, fulfilled, in accordance with the requirements of Redemption.
YLT TEXT: For the holy ones who are in the land, And the honourable, all my delight is in them. Multiplied are their griefs, Who have hastened backward; I pour not out their libations of blood, Nor do I take up their names on my lips. (Psa 16:3-4).
COMPARE THE NLT TEXT: The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of David-”...The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!...” Is this not a terrific rendering?! Yea Christian friend, so you are my true hero | heroine. Christ bless and encourage and strengthen you Christian friend as you labor for Him and promote His interests, showing Him to be who He says He is.
In these verses David shows how he walks the talk of verse two, restated: ”Thou hast said to Jehovah, 'My Lord Thou art;' My good is not for thine own sake...” (Psa 16:2). In walking that talk he delights in the ones who like he have tightly tethered themselves to God, detesting in that spirit not only devilish pretenders to the throne of Blessedness (Anat, Asherah, Astarte, Baal-Hadad, Dagon, Melqart, Molech, Mot, the moon, the sun, the Queen of Heaven, etc., all alike Canaanite “deities”), but also those who compromise themselves and bow before these grotesque pretenders: “...Multiplied are their griefs, Who have hastened backward...” Do not fools walk backward by the way? Please hear David: “...My good is not for thine own sake...” That is, no other god (in fact, nothing per se) can source the Blessedness this great lover of Jehovah God David appreciates except Jehovah God; indeed, precisely Jehovah is his exceeding Delight, and motivates his walk (forward by the way). And he spits out of his mouth, nay, never would he even speak the bloody names of said devils: “...Nor do I take up their names on my lips...” It may be inferred that he walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, no way (Psa 1:1ff, “Psalm One commentary”). This man David was a soldier fighting for Jehovah God, promoting His interests, showing Him to be who He says He is; here is a hero.
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of our Savior Jesus-O Lord, speakest thou thus of thy saints, heroes | heroines? Thou art the Hero great savior God, even ours, we owe all to thee.
We see the classic example of Jesus' fidelity toward Father God Jehovah in His Wilderness Temptation Fidelity (Mat 4:1ff, “A Threefold Test”), though His entire ministry was fraught with temptations. His fidelity in that regard is here presaged: “...I pour not out their libations of blood, Nor do I take up their names on my lips...”, '...Get thee hence Satan...' (Mat 4:10). And as did David, so necessarily Jesus—He walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, no way; in fact, David speaks thus prophetically of the sinless Savior Jesus, relating the incarnate Jesus' impeccable credentials as Savior.
YLT TEXT: Jehovah is the portion of my share, and of my cup [11], Thou -- Thou dost uphold my lot. Lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, Yea, a beauteous inheritance is for me. (Psa 16:5-6).
COMPARE THE NLT TEXT: LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of David-David is “stuck” on the theme of verse two, the verse restated: ”Thou hast said to Jehovah, 'My Lord Thou art;' My good is not for thine own sake...” (Psa 16:2). Compare our verse five: “...Jehovah is the portion of my share, and of my cup....” And stuck for good reason is he: Jehovah God is the gold-set “apple of his eye.” He repeats the theme ('Father God is my all-in-all') because he loved his God so. Notice: David is not trying to “twist God's arm” with flattery here in order to gain something, because he elevates his God above any such thing: “...Jehovah is the portion of my share, and of my cup...” Moreover he says: “...Thou dost uphold my lot...”—all declarative praise that elevates Father God above the Blessing. The praise that David is stuck on he would no more squelch in this outpouring of heartfelt praise (and thanksgiving) than would he stop breathing (we are sure he would rather stop breathing first!).
Digging a little deeper, it is likely that the Holy Spirit is here declaring the excellent quality of Salvation—the excellent quality of life eternal in the presence of Jehovah God—in that David says: “...Jehovah is the portion of my share...” This precisely is abiding in His presence (here is Quality). He says moreover: “...Jehovah is the portion of my cup [cup of Blessing we reckon=Redemption—one cannot have Salvation without Redemption]...” Notice the further declaration: “...Thou dost uphold my lot...”, that is to say, David (saints) may rest secure in (are assured of) their Salvation (Hbr 7:25).
In the mundane sense, the lines that fell to David were first the Kingdom of Judah (anointed at Hebron 2Sa 2:1ff), bordered on the north by the Kingdom of Israel, on the west by the Philistine states, on the south by the Kingdom of Edom, and on the east by the Dead Sea. Eventually said lines demarcated the combined Kingdoms of Israel and Judah with David ruling as king over the same (upon the demise of Saul's son Ish-Bosheth; again anointed at Hebron was David-2Sa 2:10ff): “...Lines have fallen to me in pleasant places...” To some degree he sees this as his beauteous inheritance: “...Yea, a beauteous inheritance is for me...” (Israel is “the Beautiful Land”-cf. Dan 8:9).
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of our Savior Jesus-Great savior God, unto thine Beulah Land (cf. Isa 62:4, “Isaiah Chapter Fifty-four Commentary”). As the first order of concern, it is best probably to turn to another (Messianic) psalm David wrote, Psalm two, in order to learn what the inheritance here spoken of is as it concerns Jesus (Psa 2:7-9, “Psalm Two Commentary”), and what we learn is that said Inheritance is the Nations, specifically, the Gentiles, and of course as many Jews as would turn to Jesus and claim Him as their Messiah.
Now if we look again at verse two: “...Thou hast said to Jehovah, 'My Lord Thou art;' My good is not for thine own sake...” (Psa 16:2, also above), It would seem to follow in that context that our verse five: “...Jehovah is the portion of my share and of my cup...” (Psa 16:5), from the vantage point of Jesus, is showing Father God Jehovah to be the Prime Mover behind Redemption-Salvation. This conclusion is not a surprise when further understood from a post-Cross (New Testament) vantage point (thus are we moderns blessed, without excuse). And the last verse in our set, verse six: “...Lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, Yea, a beauteous inheritance is for me.!...” shows God the Son, Yeshua, Messiah Jesus, praising; praising Father God, thanking Him for said Inheritance—it is understood that Jesus is the very Inheritor here—and thanking Him for ever preserving it: “Thou dost uphold my lot...” Father God—Prime Mover, Preserver, God the Son—Inheritor, and God the Holy Spirit—He ever Works; works all this Good out (Jhn 14:16-17, 26, “Great and Grand Worker Divine”). Father, Son, Holy Spirit; Jehovah, the triune God of Redemption-Salvation—that is to say: “...Lines have fallen to me in pleasant places [=the Nations, Jew, Gentile], Yea, a beauteous inheritance is for me!...” Thus enamored does God the Son, Inheritor, speak of His Bride (imagine that), and naturally so she of her Beloved; of her Hero and Savior:
“I’ve reached the land of corn and wine,
And all its riches freely mine;
Here shines undimmed one blissful day,
For all my night has passed away.
Refrain
O Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land,
As on thy highest mount I stand,
I look away across the sea,
Where mansions are prepared for me,
And view the shining glory shore,
My Heav’n, my home forever more!
My Savior comes and walks with me,
And sweet communion here have we;
He gently leads me by His hand,
For this is Heaven’s border land.
Refrain
A sweet perfume upon the breeze,
Is borne from ever vernal trees,
And flow’rs, that never fading grow
Where streams of life forever flow.
Refrain
The zephyrs seem to float to me,
Sweet sounds to Heaven’s melody,
As angels with the white robed throng
Join in the sweet redemption song.
Refrain...”
Beulah Land is one of our favorite Gospel hymns. It was written by Edgar Page Stites. Lyrics courtesy of The Cyber Hymnal (click Titles>B>Beulah Land>notes icon at the Cyber Hymnal site to listen to the hymn).
YLT TEXT: I bless [12] Jehovah who hath counselled [13] me; Also [14] in the nights my reins [15] instruct me. (Psa 16:7).
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of David-Wisdom loves counsel. And there simply cannot be more comprehensive, more effective counsel than counsel from Jehovah God, and so it goes without saying that Wisdom loves counsel from Jehovah God. Said negatively, Foolishness hates counsel, particularly counsel from Jehovah God. Here David shows himself to be wise: “...I bless Jehovah who hath counselled me...” Notice the disposition of his heart and mind: he expresses gratitude for it, and reckons it a blessing: '...How blessed I am great God that thou dost counsel me, I praise and thank thee for it; attune me to thy counsel; ever awaken me to it, quicken me to it...' How exactly did Jehovah God counsel David? God taught David the fear of the Lord (Job 28:28, Psa 25:12, Ecc 7:16-19, “Be Holy”), which manner of life David then panted after, Seeking; seeking the One he loved; the One he loved to commune with; the One behind that Counsel he drank in (Psa 42:1-it was God Himself that David panted after, and drink his fill he could not—the fear of the Lord does not have even a whit of a chance to become one's manner of life without there first being this sort of “exceedingly dry-throated” panting for God that David here shows). Sure, David loved the Word of God, and meditated upon it (Psa 1:1-2, “Psalm One Commentary”)—yet it was God that David sought; notwithstanding, in His Word of course he found manifest Counsel (Psa 119:105), Counsel by which Jehovah God instructed the God-thirsty David in the fear of the Lord: “...Also in the nights my reins instruct me...” Reins—an apt descriptor. These reins, reins of conscience, of heart and mind, become reins in the hands of God (unto Christ-likeness in our day) when the fear of the Lord reigns in the heart: '...Yea, when my steps are amiss, my path dark as night, thy Counsel shineth Light on the way; it reineth me about, convicting, it quickens my steps unto thee; unto thee upon THE GOOD WAY, LIGHTED—about which thou hast counseled me—THE FEAR OF THE LORD, upon which I hasten to tread unto thee Father God...'
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of our Savior Jesus-From this vantage point the verse is perhaps best understood in application to the incarnate Jesus. Wisdom loves Counsel. When the incarnate Jesus came before Father God in prayer seeking counsel, we can be sure He received the counsel He humbly sought: “...who hath conselled me...”, and was grateful to have received: “...I bless Jehovah who hath counselled me...” It would have been necessary for the incarnate Jesus to thus humble Himself and seek said counsel, much like we, His own, are in need of God's counsel to shine light on our path: ”...in the nights my reins instruct me...” (Psa 119:105). In this way He was made in every way like His brethren (Hbr 2:17). Our verse is prophetic and revelatory, and the implication is that the incarnate Jesus did indeed seek and receive counsel from Father God—thus it is incumbent upon His own to seek said counsel.
YLT TEXT: I did place Jehovah before me continually, Because -- at my right hand I am not moved [16]. Therefore hath my heart [16a] been glad, And my honour [17] doth rejoice [17a], Also my flesh [18] dwelleth confidently [19]: For Thou dost not leave my soul [20] to Sheol [21], Nor givest thy saintly one [22] to see corruption [23]. Thou causest me to know the path of life; Fulness of joys is with Thy presence, Pleasant things by Thy right hand for ever! (Psa 16:8-11; cf. the testimony and witness of the apostle Peter-Act 2:25-28).
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of David-”...I did place Jehovah before me continually...” Saints ( heroes) say things like that. Indeed, said heroes walk that kind of talk, in good times, in not so good times. Compare the hero Paul: “...I have known both to be abased, and I have known to abound; in everything and in all things I have been initiated, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. For all things I have strength, in Christ's strengthening me....” (Phl 4:12-13).
These verses connect intimately with verse one: “...Preserve me, O God, for I did trust in Thee...” David placed Jehovah before himself continually (“before” = prayer, praising, saintly fellowship, Scripture study, Walking), foremost because he loved Him, and also because he trusted in Him, trusted Jehovah God for preservation in the face of many struggles—we ponder David's battle with Goliath (1Sa 17:4ff), the Philistines (esp. Psa 56:1-4), his protracted hounding by Saul, the challenges of unifying and leading Israel, his Sin (a deep wound, for he know He grieved His All-in-All, 2Sa 11:1ff, Psa 51), Absalom's rebellion (another deep wound, but different than the former, 2Sa 15:1ff): “... I did place Jehovah before me continually, Because -- at my right hand I am not moved...” (red font added). '...O great God my eyes are fixed on thee, upholding me a sinner, by thy grace, by thy loving arm, able...' Here is surfacing that trust of which he spoke in verse one. Think if you will for a moment of the conviction attending these words: “...Because-- at my right hand I am not moved...” That is to say, because He, Jehovah my God, is at my right hand, I am not moved—it says two things to us (1) God IS at my right hand (no doubt in David's mind about that—here is faith that surpasses hope, it is faith that knows, thus really faith), and (2) that being the case, well, of course I am not moved says David with righteous confidence—not moved by anyone or anything (a “matter-of-fact” compliment to God). Hardly a wonder that it was a foregone conclusion in his mind that Jehovah, the One in whom he trusted completely, would preserve him. Thus only he is glad; his heart is glad, and O his soul rejoices. This is a tremendous testimony in that his state of being avows completely to its Source. And the third aspect of his state of being, more mundane (like the first—heart|emotions) bespeaks of physical survival in this context (from the vantage point of David) and complements the former—a unified Whole: “...Also my flesh dwelleth confidently...” Heart, soul, flesh—here is David. Glad, rejoicing, confident. And why? Because his eyes are fixed on Jehovah God, who shows (proves) Himself Able. Shows Himself able to forgive (does not a clean conscience make glad the heart? Does not a clean conscience testify to the soul unto rejoicing?). Shows Himself able to preserve (does not every beat of the heart strengthen the flesh unto confidence in the matters of life the flesh is busy about?). God is Able; so David: “Thou dost not leave my soul to Sheol, nor givest thy saintly one to see corruption...” How be it, David, that thou knewest this, thy forgiveness unto Salvation? What sayest thou? “...I did place Jehovah before me continually...” And thy joy David, that thou canst not stop speaking of, whence this exceeding joy: “...Therefore hath my heart been glad...”, and again: “...Fulness of joys is with Thy presence, Pleasant things by Thy right hand for ever!...” what sayest thou? “...I did place Jehovah before me continually...”
COMMENTARY-From the vantage point of our Savior Jesus-We stand now with our Savior, hand-in-hand, Led. We stand led beyond an empty tomb, the vistas of heaven all before, and Life, Blessed Life—just smell the enveloping fragrance, hear the stillness, feel the surpassing peace, see the Majesty on High—said life unfolds, and unfolds, and unfolds. And He leads (1Cr 15:20-23); thereto our Savior leads, has led us, beyond tombs empty. Sweet, sweet Life (Fig. 1).
O how our great savior God Jesus Christ placed Father God Jehovah before Himself continually in the days of His flesh, in spite of His, Father God's, good pleasure to crush Jesus; notwithstanding, thus [=placing Father God before, the One to be trusted] was He [Jesus] unmoved, unshaken in His resolve to redeem, unto Salvation (Isa 42:4, 50:6-9, Jhn 16:32, Hbr 5:7, et al.). And this—Redemption unto Salvation—was the burning passion of His Visitation that gladdened His heart, and caused His soul to rejoice, even exceedingly rejoice (what a testimony of His excellent, surpassing character to thus rejoice over Salvation in spite of it crushing Him): “...I did place Jehovah before me continually [though He crush me for the blessed cause of His good pleasure], Because -- at my right hand I am not moved [ cf. “...And the pleasure of Jehovah in his hand doth prosper....”, Isa 53:10]. Therefore hath my heart been glad, And my honour doth rejoice [cf. “...Of the labour of his soul he seeth -- he is satisfied...”, Isa 53:11]...” (red font added). And the proof? What is the proof of this Salvation so expensive? It is Resurrection; the resurrection of Jesus Christ, First Fruits (1Cr 15:3-8, 20-23): “...Also my flesh dwelleth confidently: For Thou dost not leave my soul to Sheol, Nor givest thy saintly one to see corruption [importantly, this speaks not of David-Act 13:36]...” [24]. Then upon Resurrection, please see how Father and Son transpose: '...By my right hand gracious Father God thou hast stayed steadfast, preserving; thou callest me therefrom unto thy right hand...', “...Thou causest me to know the path of life; Fulness of joys is with Thy presence, Pleasant things by Thy right hand for ever!...” (Hbr 1:3). Thus too, in a manner of speaking, we and our God must necessarily transpose—He by our right hand today, preserving, and we by His, like unto our Savior, going forward into eternity. Sweet Life (Jhn 14:19).
(The Cyber Hymnal) “I’ve reached the land of corn and wine,
And all its riches freely mine;
Here shines undimmed one blissful day,
For all my night has passed away.
Refrain
O Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land,
As on thy highest mount I stand,
I look away across the sea,
Where mansions are prepared for me,
And view the shining glory shore,
My Heav’n, my home forever more!
My Savior comes and walks with me,
And sweet communion here have we;
He gently leads me by His hand,
For this is Heaven’s border land.
Refrain
A sweet perfume upon the breeze,
Is borne from ever vernal trees,
And flow’rs, that never fading grow
Where streams of life forever flow.
Refrain
The zephyrs seem to float to me,
Sweet sounds to Heaven’s melody,
As angels with the white robed throng
Join in the sweet redemption song.
Refrain...”
Praised be your Name great savior God, First Fruits, even ours.
“A Letter of Invitation.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/aletterofinvitation.html >
“A Threefold Test.”
< http://jesusamen.org/athreefoldtest.html >
“Be Holy.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/beholy.html >
The Compact Survey of the Bible.
Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1987.
“Beulah Land.”
Wikipedia.
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beulah_Land >
Blue Letter Bible.
Blue Letter Bible Linguistics Tools.
“Children of the Resurrection.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/childrenoftheresurrection.html >
“Great and Grand Worker Divine.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/index.php?p=1_7_Great-and-Grand-Worker-Divine >
Commentary on Psalm Sixteen.
“Isaiah Chapter Fifty-three Commentary.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/commentaryisa53.html >
“Isaiah Chapter Fifty-four Commentary.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/commentaryisa54.html >
“Jacob I Loved, But Esau I Hated.”
Jesus,Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/jacobiloved.html >
“Jesus Our Jubilee.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/jesusourjubilee.html >
Commentary on Psalm Sixteen.
New Illustrated Bible Dictionary.
Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“O, That Name!.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/othatname.html >
“Psalm One Commentary.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/commentarypsa1.html >
“Psalm Two Commentary.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/commentarypsa2.html >
“Psalm Twenty-two Commentary.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/commentarypsa22.html >
< http://www.hymntime.com/tch/index.htm >
“The Fourth Cup.”
Jesus, Amen.
< http://jesusamen.org/thefourthcup.html >
Wolfram Research.
Mathematica.
The YLT is in the public domain.
1. Secret Treasure-Michtam-golden, as in a golden psalm | writing; all this fits the context very well. See Easton's Bible Dictionary. Nelson's relates that “the word [michtam] may be a musical term indicating how the psalm should be sung” and indicates that the pronunciation is [MICK tam] (Nelson's, 833). The NASB footnotes it as meaning a possible epigrammatic poem or atonement psalm. As we shall see, there is indeed treasure hidden in this psalm—the treasure hidden in this psalm is priceless Resurrection, financed by the Resurrected One, our great savior God, the living Jesus Christ, upon whom this psalm pivots. Our psalm is thus indeed a golden psalm, a golden Treasure in its pronouncements.
2. Preserve-Strong's H8104. Verbal usage is Qal direct address imperative. Notice the imperative—this sounds urgent in context and not so much dictatorial. Preserve is good in our context because it presupposes trauma. Preservation in the face of trauma; preservation in the face of serious, Life-threatening trauma. Preservation does not exclude the possibility for serious injury, only that the injury must be contained, limited. Though our incarnate Lord's Injury was mortal (is this not urgent?), with much suffering, Resurrection, His resurrection, shows that it was not eternal, thus it was contained, limited. Here is Preservation. Christian friend, though our Wounds, which became His Wounds (Isa 53:4-5, “Isaiah Chapter Fifty-three Commentary”) too are mortal (O how urgent), Resurrection, our Lord's resurrection, shows that they are contained, limited, because of what our Savior did for us—Preservation, realized by His salvific labors, in satisfaction of the eternal design (Gen 3:15, “Children of the Resurrection”). Praised be your Name great savior God.
3. Did Trust-Strong's H2620. Verbal usage is Qal perfect (the Septuagint uses the aorist HLPISA, “I hoped”). Once David trusted, he always trusted (thus probably the perfect aspect here)—trusted that God was who He said He was. His trust was not wavering, constantly in need of renewal. The picture of a mother hen with wing outspread comes to mind—we understand it as the trust of the vulnerable scurrying along under that wing, never doubting for an instant the love of the One extending that wing, nor the Efficacy of the protective wing over them; the wing over them that is Able to preserve them whole, as oft before. Though the vulnerable little chiclets may get pretty wet and blown about some and ruffled a bit, in trust they “hunker together” under that wing and scurry along under it, scared maybe, but confident—that sort of trust. Thus our incarnate Lord, vulnerable, trusted God to preserve Him Whole—as do we, vulnerable, trust God to preserve us Whole. Praised be thy Name Father God Jehovah, for this is thy eternal design for the Beloved (“A Letter of Invitation”). We thank thee Father God, and trust in thy Preservation.
4. This note is a theological aside and may be read at another time so as not to lose continuity of thought with the main text. Jehovah God, holy, just, draws all people to belief in Himself; to belief in who He says He is (Jhn 6:44, 12:32-PANTAS hELKUSW; cf. Jhn 3:14-15, Luk 19:10, note Jhn 10:30). Thus were we born in the first place (Eph 2:10-human existence has purpose; dearest reader, you, highly important to God, and precious in His eyes, were born for a purpose)—we were born to walk before Jehovah God a people, sons and daughters, like unto the Son of God, Jesus Christ, thus glorifying God, which walk of course presupposes belief in God and in who He says He is. Notwithstanding, a free moral agent may choose not to respond to such wooing (drawing) by God because of strong beliefs in other gods (be they mundane, self, spiritual, “isms”, etc.) that tout this and that and what not about themselves. Importantly, Jehovah God, holy, just, draws such as these, inclined to unbelief in Himself and who He says He is, with the same passion and vigor that He draws those inclined to belief in Himself and who He says He is. What is the basis of this argument concerning God and His equitable drawing of people? Thus only He, holy, just, stands vindicated at the Judgment as a holy, just Judge (Jhn 3:16, 5:22-consider Jhn 12:32-the One into whose hands judgment has been committed, has had committed into those same hands the drawing of souls unto salvific belief in God and who He says He is, and precisely He, holy, just, will justly stand, vindicated, at the Judgment, His Judgment, per His equitable drawing of souls (“Jacob I Loved, But Esau I Hated”).
5. Thou Hast Said-Strong's H559. Verbal usage is Qal Perfect. 'Hast said within oneself' fits the context. Note the perfect, as in a sure conclusion, no alternatives possible anymore; firm, solid, fixed within oneself.
6. Jehovah-Strong's H3068. The eternal I AM (Exd 3:14-15). Notice that this is our God's self-proclaimed memorial name—let us prayerfully come to appreciate it as best as we can; let us proclaim it throughout our generations in accordance with His wishes in that regard.
7. Lord-Strong's H136. An ascendant (surpassing) one (One in our context).
8. Good-Strong's H2896. Good in its broadest sense. Blessedness.
9. Not-Strong's H1077.
10. For thine own sake-Strong's H5921. Bespeaks of giving credit to in context; besides, because of.
11. Cup-Strongs H3563. Cup of Blessing-The third cup of wine taken at the Seder (Passover supper) signifying Redemption (“The Fourth Cup”).
12. Bless-Strong's H1288.
13. Counselled-Strongs H3289. Verbal usage is Qal perfect.
14. Also-Strong's H637.
15. Reins-Strong's H3629. Probably the conviction of conscience is in view. Notice that reins suggest guidance as also limits—for example, reins may be used to guide an animal in a certain direction, or prevent it from passing beyond a certain place. Whereas an animal has reins imposed upon it (and usually fights against them), we can be sure that David handed God said reins most willingly and hastened to acquiesce to His leading, as did the incarnate Jesus thus acquiesce. All this presupposes some Standard by which conscience convicts, or “reins.” Counsel in our context is consistent with that Standard—Counsel is not identically that Standard, it is consistent with that Standard.
16. [Not] Moved-Strong's H4131. '...Though storms about me blow fierce, rage, thou by my side preservest me Whole with wing outspread; in thee I Trust Father God...'
16a. Heart-Strong's H3820. Emotions, seat of emotions.
17. Honor-Strong's H3519. The Septuagint has GLOSSA here—tongue. The verse that contains this word shows a threefold cord: “...Therefore hath my heart [note 16a] been glad, And my honour [which we will refer to as XXXXXXX for now] doth rejoice, Also my flesh [note 18] dwelleth confidently...” (red font added). The threefold cord: HEART, XXXXXXX, FLESH—what should be the correct rendering of XXXXXXX in this context; in the wider context of the psalm? Glory, honor, reputation, soul, and tongue are some of the linguistically viable renderings utilized—but which is right, if any? If we understand heart as emotion, then it is near sure that XXXXXXX should be soul. We opt therefore for soul here on that basis. Moreover, it is hard to picture glory, honor, reputation, and tongue rejoicing (see note 17a just below) to the extent that a soul of which the former are part and parcel can. Importantly, soul also fits the wider context much better—which is crucial since this is a Messianic psalm. Heart; soul; flesh; an innate threefold cord (the stuff of Life); a unified WHOLE...perfectly Preserved. Living. Heart-glad, Soul-rejoicing, Flesh-secure. Praised be Jehovah God for it.
17a. Doth Rejoice-Strong's H1523.
18. Flesh-Strong's H1320. Literally flesh.
19. Confidently-Strong's H983. Confidently , securely (as in Isa 57:2).
20. Soul-Strong's H5315. The inner being of a person including consciousness, faculty, emotion (collectively, the image of God-Gen 1:27), stemming from the breath of life imparted by God (Gen 2:7) and passed along through pro creation across the ages. A theological aside: “Soul,” a soul, cannot die; it is either eternally reunited with its Creator or it is eternally separated from Him (“Lost”), per His stipulations (“A Letter of Invitation”). Either way, Scripture indicates that “Soul” is cognizant of its eternal fate (for example Jesus' revelation concerning the rich man and the beggar Lazarus-Luk 16:19ff), which cognizance clearly indicates the persistence of “Soul” beyond physical death.
21. Sheol-Strong's H7585.
22. Saintly One-Strong's H2623. We like holy one in this context.
23. Corruption-Strong's H7845. The grave; together with the reference to flesh per note 18 requires the sense to be that of corruption; the corruption of decay in context.
24. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is consistent with Old Testament Scripture (Lev 7:15-18, cf. 1Cr 15:3-4).
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A-->ALEF |
B-->BET |
G-->GIMEL |
D-->DALET |
H-->HE |
W-->WAW |
Z->ZAYIN |
|
CH-->HET |
T-->TET |
Y-->YOD |
K-->KAF |
L-->LAMED |
M-->MEM |
N-->NUN |
|
S-->SAMEK |
I-->AYIN (Capital i) |
P-->PE |
TS-->TSADE |
Q-->QOF |
R-->RESH |
SS-->SIN |
|
SH-->SHIN |
TH-->TAW |
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|
a-->PATHACH |
e-->SEGHOL |
i-->HIREQ |
o-->QAMETS HATUF |
u-->QIBBUTS |
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a'-->QAMETS |
e'-->TSERE |
o'-->HOLEM |
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a''-->QAMETS HE |
e''-->TSERE YOD |
;-->SEGHOL YOD |
i''-->HIREQ YOD |
o''-->HOLEM WAW |
U''--> SHUREQ |
|
|
a'''-->HATEPH PATHACH |
e'''-->HATEPH SEGHOL |
o'''-->HATEPH QAMETS |