The Fifty Days Of Spring - The One Year Book of Psalms

Psalm 16:7-11

7I will bless the LORD who guides me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

8I know the LORD is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

9No wonder my heart is filled with joy,

and my mouth shouts his praises!

My body rests in safety.

10For you will not leave my soul among the dead

or allow your godly one to rot in the grave.

11You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of your presence

and the pleasures of living with you forever.

It was probably the last week of May A.D. 30. A rugged-looking Galilean stood tall in the courtyard of the Jerusalem Temple, remembering what had happened in early April. It had been the lowest point of his entire life. After denying that he even knew the man, he had watched Jesus of Nazareth being hauled off to be executed.

Now, only seven weeks later, Peter stood in front of thousands. “Listen carefully, all of you,” he shouted, and then he explained what had happened just seven weeks earlier. Jesus, who had done many miracles, had been crucified, but amazingly God “raised him back to life again” (Acts 2:14-36).

Then he quoted Scripture: “King David said this about him,” and he began reciting four verses from Psalm 16, which seem to refer to a resurrection. But whose resurrection? David’s? No, obviously not, for David was still dead. This prophecy was speaking of Jesus (Acts 2:25-31).

That combination of Peter’s personal testimony and Scripture was used by the Holy Spirit to bring three thousand people into the Kingdom of God that day, which is called Pentecost. If early April had been Peter’s lowest point, can you imagine how different he felt on the Day of Pentecost?

Take a moment to rejoice in the wonderful news that Jesus has risen from the dead, conquering death for us, just as David foretold in this psalm.

Though the clouds from sight received him

When the forty days were o’er,

Shall our hearts forget His promise,

I am with you evermore.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

A Word on Words

The literal wording of the end of verse 8 reads, “We are at his right hand.” The end of verse 11 reads literally, “In his right hand are joys forever.” In ancient Israel the right hand carried a great deal of significance, and we can see that we gain security at God’s right hand and pleasure because of what he holds in his right hand.

Notable Quotable

“To have Him is to enjoy not only guidance (verse 7) and stability (verse 8), but resurrection (verse 9ff.) and endless bliss (verse 11).”

DEREK KIDNER