Audio:
2007-11-07 PM Genuine Joy.mp3

Genuine Joy

Psalm 16
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. Grace Is Sufficient for Believers

A. The psalmist entrusted himself and his hopes to God; such confidence distinguishes believers. “Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” (Psalm 16:1) “O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.” (Psalm 31:23) [see John 17:1-26]

B. Ultimately God dominates the relationship He has with a believer; God providentially takes care of His people. “O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;” (Psalm 16:2)

1. People have nothing to give God. “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?” (Job 22:2-3)

2. Even if people did have something to give God, He would not ask for it. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10) “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” (Psalm 50:12)

3. Jesus incorporated the psalmist’s doctrine into a parable. “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)

C. Affection for other saints redeemed by God becomes inevitable when reflecting on grace. “But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.” (Psalm 16:3) “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10)

D. In contrast, people who turn to other gods can expect multiplying disasters. “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.” (Psalm 16:4)

E. Everything works out to the best for God’s people. “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Psalm 16:5-6)

II. Assurance Transforms into Joy

A. The psalmist praised God for the direction he received, particularly in the shadows of life. “I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” (Psalm 16:7)

B. God provides stability and is the context for interpreting life. “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:8)

C. Providence yields hope as God enables believers to glorify and enjoy Him forever. “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” (Psalm 16:9)

D. A believer knows that life will not end in the grave. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10)

E. In God’s presence, the good times will never end. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

III. Ultimately the Psalmist Is the Messiah

A. Peter interprets the psalm; this is the story of the Saviour. “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.” (Acts 2:25-28)

B. Paul identified this psalm as a prediction of Christ’s resurrection. “Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Acts 13:35)

C. The substitutionary atonement and the resurrection are at the heart of the Christian Message. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

D. Through Christ all believers will eventually be resurrected and enter a new and perfect world. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)