6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. Psalm 16:6-7 (NKJV)
David is believed to have written Psalm 16 while he was on the run from the jealous King Saul. Looking ahead, he faithfully believed the good promises of the Lord despite the immediate challenges that surrounded him.
With Saul now passed, David finally assumed his promised role as King of Israel, and the lines of blessing did begin to truly fall to him in pleasant places. He was now king, the first of the line of David, in the prophesied regal line of Judah. This genealogy extended all the way down to Mary, her husband Joseph, and the birth of our eternal King, Jesus Christ.
All Israel was now united under David, and with God’s blessing, they were able to subdue each of their surrounding enemies. God also continued to expand the boundary lines of the nation. The areal extent of Israel would reach its peak during the reign of David’s son, Solomon, extending all the way to the Euphrates River in the north, just as God had promised to Joshua after the death of Moses.
The throne of David will extend into eternity under the reign and authority of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. We will see many references to it in prophecy as we continue to move through the genealogy of Jesus in the Old Testament.
Psalm 16 also contains words and phrases which remind us of the wonderful gifts that God gives to those all who seek Him. It recounts the fullness of joy, hope, and even pleasures that a relationship with God will return to us. We receive rich blessings of gladness, wise counsel, sureness, and a precious eternal inheritance in the presence of the Lord.
David was not only a king, but also a prophet. As David brings praise to God, listing His blessings, he also prophesies about the coming Messiah. As Psalm 16 continues, David writes:
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:9-10 (NKJV)
After dying on the cross, Jesus’ Spirit was not left in Sheol, or Hades. He was raised to life by the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. And we, too, will be raised to life with Christ, we who place our faith in Him.
At the Pentecost feast, ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to 120 of His Jewish followers gathered at His direction in Jerusalem. As the Holy Spirit fell on them to the sound as of a rushing mighty wind, they began to praise God in a new, heavenly tongue. Other Jews at the feast, visiting from many nations to celebrate the Feast, could all understand what the disciples were saying despite having different languages of origin.
Amid the crowd’s amazement, the apostle Peter preached the gospel to them, quoting this prophecy from Psalm 16 to point them to Jesus, the Messiah, who had been crucified and raised from the dead.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:37-38 (NKJV)
This very first gospel sermon was used by God to call out the first fruits of His new church from a group of faithful Jewish believers. Over three thousand people came to believe in the risen Christ and were baptized on that day.
Like David, all believers in Christ enjoy the future of a pleasant inheritance. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the blessings of Abraham are given to all who receive Christ, to those of both Jewish and Gentile heritage.
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 (NKJV)
Our lines have indeed fallen in pleasant places. May you be blessed today with all the blessings of Christ.
Reflection
Father God, thank You for the many ways our lines have fallen in pleasant places. You have blessed us beyond measure with the blessings of Abraham, granted by grace to us at Christ’s expense. Help us to be grateful for all the many things You have done for us, from solving our smallest problems to holding our hand and never abandoning us through our greatest faith challenges. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 