In the early part of the book of Psalms there is one Psalm that makes me pause whenever I read it. It’s Psalm 16, and in my mind it coalesces the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and human beings together. David wrote the psalm in time, yet, it breathes a breath of eternity: “Lord, you alone are my portion,and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5-6) These words were written generations after the Hebrew people finally arrived at the Promised Land., and the land had been distributed by lot to each family. David’s ancestors had received a lot near the village of Bethlehem. I became the family inheritance.

Charles Spurgeon, a nineteenth century British preacher, suggested in his book The Treasury Of David, that the “boundary lines” are probably those that David and his brothers inherited from that ancient time; the very fulfillment of God’s promise to give His people land. The Psalm gives us a glimpse of God to His own word and to His people. David’s experience as a child of God is evident: “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes on the Lord. With Him at my right hand I will not be shaken.”(verses 7&8)

The words of David in relation to God could have been written by Jesus himself. They foreshadow a relationship that Jesus had with his Father, and that through Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit, all humanity may share. They bring the reality of an eternal existence, an overcoming of death itself, into focus.

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mathew 11:28) David wrote, “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices: my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will your faithful one see decay.” (verse 9-10) The accounts of Jesus ‘ life, teaching, death and resurrection are pictures that could accompany the words of the Psalm, sharing with us the experience of our loving God, bridging time and space to connect our spirits to His. The words are full of sweetness and promise: “You make known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (verse 11)

Bartimaeus began to shout, “Son of David, Have mercy on me!”. . . “Rabbi, I want to see!” “Go” said Jesus, “Your faith has healed you.” (Mark 10:48). Psalm 16 reaches across three millennia to deliver a message of “eternal pleasures.”

Love in Him,

Prue