Psalm 16:8-11

“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

If the people of God had hope only in this life, they would be in a most pitiable condition; because they are debarred by conscience from the pleasures of sin, and are exposed to a multitude of trials on account of their religion. But their views of future eternal glory bear them up, so that the sufferings of this present time appear to them insignificant, and unworthy of any serious concern.

The Psalmist penned this Psalm under some deep affliction; which, however, lost all its force as soon as ever he directed his views to the eternal world.

But the words before us can scarcely be applied at all to David in his own person; they are spoken by him rather in the person of Christ, whom he typically represented; and to whom, in the New Testament, they are expressly, repeatedly, and exclusively applied. In this view they are a most remarkable prophecy relating to Christ; and they declare,

I. Christ’s support in life.

In an assurance of his Father’s continual aid, Jesus was unmoved by any difficulties.

Various were the trials which Jesus was called to endure; but in all he preserved a perfect equanimity. When his sufferings were fast approaching, he spoke of them without any emotions of fear, Matthew 20:18-19. When dissuaded from exposing himself to them, he was indignant at the proposal, Matthew 16:22-23. When warned of Herod’s murderous intentions, he poured contempt on his feeble, unavailing efforts, Luke 13:31-33. When standing before Pilate’s tribunal, he witnessed a good confession, John 18:37. 1 Timothy 6:13; and, alike unmoved by hopes or fears, informed his judge, that the authority exercised by him was both given, and limited, by a superior power, John 19:11.

He saw God as ever present to aid and support him; and was well assured, that as nothing could be done but according to his determinate counsel, so God’s aid should be all-sufficient for him! Psalm 89:21. Isaiah 42:1. Hence in the whole of his deportment he maintained an invincible firmness, and a dignified composure. At all times he acted on the principles described by the Prophet Isaiah, and fulfilled in the utmost extent his prophecy concerning him, Isaiah 50:7-9.

Nor need the weakest of Christ’s redeemed people fear, if they look for support from the same quarter.

Many of God’s people have experienced the very same divine support as was enjoyed by Christ. David’s friends endeavored to create in his mind desponding fears; but his confidence in an almighty Protector kept him steadfast, Psalm 11:1-4; and determined him to preserve an undaunted spirit, however great or multiplied his trials might be, Psalm 27:1; Psalm 27:3. Paul also, in the view of certain and accumulated troubles, could say, “None of these things move me! Acts 20:23-24.”

Thus may every believer triumph. The man who trusts in God is in an impregnable fortress which has salvation for walls and bulwarks, Isaiah 26:1. Psalm 125:1, Psalm 125:2. If only our eyes are opened to see clearly, we may behold ourselves, like Elisha, encompassed with chariots of fire and horses of fire; and may laugh at the impotent attempts of men or devils! 2 Kings 6:16-17.

The more immediate scope of the prophecy is to declare,

II. Christ’s comfort in death.

Our blessed Lord submitted cheerfully to his death in a certain expectation of a speedy resurrection.

His last discourses, and his intercessory prayer, abundantly testify the composure of his spirit, and the elevation of his mind. Do we look for the ground of his consolation? We shall find it in those repeated expressions, “I go to my Father;” “Father, I come to you, John 16:28; John 17:11.” He knew that his flesh which he gave for the life of the world, John 6:51, would never become decay and corruption. Christ’s resurrection on the third day was typified by that ordinance of the law, Leviticus 7:17-18; but that, though immured in the silent tomb, it should be raised thence, before it could corrupt; and that his soul, though separate from it for a season, should soon be re-united to it, to be a joint partaker of the same kingdom and glory.

Such consolation too, have all his members in a dying hour.

Christ rose, not as a private individual, but as “the first-fruits of those who slept, 1 Corinthians 15:20.” And everyone that believes in him may consider death as a sleep, and the grave as a bed whereon he is to rest, Acts 7:60. Isaiah 57:2, until the morning of the resurrection. The bodies of the saints are indeed doomed to death and corruption on account of sin, Romans 8:10; but they shall be raised again, and fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious body, Philippians 3:21. “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:53-54.

In expectation of this, the martyrs of old would not accept deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection, Hebrews 11:35; and, in the hope of it, we also may put off this tabernacle with joy, knowing that it shall be raised anew in a far better form 2 Corinthians 5:1-2.”

Connected with this hope in his death, we behold,

III. Christ’s prospect in eternity.

The state to which Jesus was to rise, was a state of inconceivable and endless glory.

No sooner were death and the grave vanquished by Jesus in the resurrection, and he was thereby “declared to be the Son of God with power,” than the way to the regions of glory was opened to him; that way, which, with myriads of attendant angels, he trod soon afterwards, that he might receive all the fruits of his victorious death. Then he sat down at the right hand of his Father, not any more to taste a cup of sorrow, but to possess a fullness and perpetuity of unutterable joy. Blessed prospect! Well might he be animated by it in the midst of all his trials; and, for the joy set before him, endure the cross, and despise the shame! Hebrews 12:2.

Such too, are the delightful prospects of all his saints.

They see, in the death and resurrection of Christ, the way to Heaven opened; and, if they look to him as the resurrection and the life, John 11:25-26, a fullness and perpetuity of joy awaits them also at their departure hence. Who can conceive what happiness they will feel in the vision and fruition of their God, Revelation 21:3-4; Revelation 21:21-22. Well may believers long “to depart, that they may be with Christ;” and account all their afflictions to be light and momentary, in the view of that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory with which they will be crowned in the day of the Lord Jesus! 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

Inferences:

1. What rich sources of consolation does faith open to believers under all their troubles!

Faith beholds God always present and always active to support his redeemed people. Faith also looks forward to the future state both of body and soul, enabling us to weigh the concerns of time and eternity in the scale together, and thereby to see the vanity of the one in comparison with the other. To be happy, therefore, we must live by faith.

2. How certain is the salvation of those who believe in Christ!

If Jesus is the Messiah, and has in himself a sufficiency for the salvation of his people, then have we nothing to do but to believe in him. But Peter, quoting the entire text, infers from it the certainty of his Messiahship, Acts 2:25-28; Acts 2:36; and Paul, referring to the same, infers his sufficiency to save his people, Acts 13:35-39. Let us then make him our refuge, our foundation, and our ALL.

Charles Simeon