Psalms 16

This psalm begins with expressions of devotion, which may be applied to CHRIST; but ends with such confidence of a resurrection, as must be applied to CHRIST, and to HIM only.

David flees to GOD’s protection, with cheerful, believing confidence. Those who have vowed that the LORD is their LORD, should often put themselves in mind of what they have done, take the comfort of it, and live up to it. He devotes himself to ​the honour of GOD, in the service of the saints. Saints on earth we must be, or we shall never be saints in heaven. Those renewed by the grace of GOD, and devoted to the glory of GOD, are saints on earth. The saints in the earth are excellent ones, yet some of them are so poor, that they needed to have David’s goodness extended to them. David declares his resolution to have no fellowship with the works of darkness; he repeats the solemn choice he had made of GOD for his portion and happiness, takes to himself the comfort of the choice, and gives GOD the glory of it. This is the language of a devout and pious soul. Most take the world for their chief good, and place their happiness in the enjoyments of it; but how poor so ever my condition is in this world, let me have the love and favour of GOD, and be accepted of him; let me have a title by promise to life and happiness in the future state, and I have enough.

Heaven is an inheritance; we must take that for our home, our rest, our everlasting good, and look upon this world to be no more ours, than the country through which is our road to our Father’s house. Those that have GOD for their portion, have a goodly heritage. Return unto thy rest, O my soul, and look no further. Gracious
persons, though they still covet more of GOD, never covet more than GOD; but, being satisfied of his loving-kindness, are abundantly satisfied with it: they envy not any their carnal mirth and delights. But so ignorant and foolish are we, that if left to ourselves, we shall forsake our own mercies for lying vanities. GOD having given David counsel by HIS Word and SPIRIT, his own thoughts taught him in the night season, and engaged him by faith to live for GOD.

Verses Acts 2:25-31; he declared that David in them speaks concerning CHRIST, and particularly of HIS resurrection. And CHRIST being the Head of the body, the church, these verses may be applied to all Christians, guided and animated by the SPIRIT of CHRIST; and we may hence learn, that it is our wisdom and duty to set the LORD always before us. And if our eyes are ever toward GOD, our hearts and tongues may ever rejoice in HIM. Death destroys the hope of man, but not the hope of a real Christian. CHRIST’s resurrection is an earnest of the believer’s resurrection. In this world sorrow is our lot, but in heaven there is joy, a fullness of joy; our pleasures here are for a moment, but those at GOD’s right hand are pleasures for evermore. Through this THY beloved SON, and our dear SAVIOUR, thou wilt show us, O LORD, the path of life; THOU wilt justify our souls now, and raise our bodies by THY power at the last day; when earthly sorrow shall end in heavenly joy, pain in everlasting happiness.​

OLD TESTAMENT
🌈
Deuteronomy 2: 26 – 3: 7
Deuteronomy 2: 30

The LORD hardened his spirit.
GOD does not harden anyone’s heart arbitrarily (Hebrews 3: 7 –13). HE hardened Sihon’s heart because Sihon had already set his heart against GOD and Israel and against Israel’s GOD.

NEW TESTAMENT
✝
Romans 2: 6 – 24
Romans 2: 13

The doers of the law shall be justified.
Paul does not use the term ‘law’ in the sense of a system of statutes that we may obey and earn our salvation without grace. The law here stands for the will of GOD made known to the human race. Merely GOD’s Word avails nothing apart from faith, submission and obedience. There must be obedience to the faith, expressing itself through love.