Psalm 16 has been called a golden psalm and David’s jewel or notable song. I liken it to a necklace of precious gems, each one more glorious than the last, until, finally, the chief treasure is reached. And that chief treasure is a golden locket, inscribed by David but opened by the Holy Spirit through Peter and Paul.
First, let’s look at one of the jewels. About the faithful Israelites, who have not given themselves over to the idolatries of the age, David writes, “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” [Psalm 16:3 ESV] The saints of God are taught to delight in God (Ps 37:4), to delight in the law of the Lord (Ps 1:2), to delight in doing his will (Ps 40:8), and to delight in the works of the Lord (Ps 111:2). That’s a big list, but wait, there’s more. David also delights in the very saints of God. His preferred company is the very people of God who have not run after other gods but whose hearts are set on knowing the Lord. What a precious gift we have in the people of God, his excellent ones. Do you treasure and highly value the people among whom the Lord has placed you? Are they not your choicest friends? Isaac Watts writes:
“Oft have my heart and tongue confess’d How empty and how poor I am; My praise can never make thee blest, Nor add new glories to thy name. Yet, Lord, thy saints on earth may reap Some profit by the good we do; These are the company I keep, These are the choicest friends I know.”
I feel a certain poverty and when I ask the Lord, “where is my wealth?” He leads me to see the many friends I have in Christ and the riches that are mine in the relationships around me. Have you experienced this? Have a blessed week and we will see many of you on Sunday. And if you are asking, what is the golden locket of Psalm 16? Come to Sunday’s worship service and discover this treasure with the people of God.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
