Untitled article by E. S. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 18, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 10

PARAPHRASE OF PSALM XVI.

By E. S. W.

The title of this Psalm in the Hebrew is Michtam Le-david; or a Golden Psalm of David. There are six Psalms that have the title michtam prefixed; the others are lvi, lvii, lviii, lix and lx. Michtam also means pure or stamped gold; and hence it has been supposed that this title was given to them on account of their excellence, golden Psalms or Psalms worthy to be written in letters of gold. It was, and still is, the custom in Asiatic countries, to write the works of men of great eminence in letters of gold or on a page highly ornamented with the utmost profusion of golden lines, figures, &c. It is supposed that these Psalms were thus written and hung in the sanctuary, and from this circumstance they may have derived their name. These titles however are of human origin, and were probably made long after the Psalms were composed.

David is undoubtedly the author of this Psalm, as it is most pointedly attributed to him in Acts ii, 25–31, but there are a diversity of opinions in regard to its application. Some commentators apply it wholly to David; others, the former part to David and the latter part to Christ; while others are of the opinion that it all belongs to Christ. This is the view taken of it by Dr. Adam Clarke, and with this view we coincide. We think it a hymn prophetically descriptive of the Messiah, commencing with a prayer to the Father for preserving care on his entering upon his earthly ministry, expressing his confidence in God that he would sustain him in all his sufferings, and that through him he would finally obtain a triumphant victory and enjoy the purchased possession throughout eternity.

1 O thou my Father, God of strength, Preserve and help thou me, Humanity will not avail; My trust's alone in thee.

2 Thou art Jehovah and my Lord, From whom all goodness came; Redemption's work thou dost not need, To add to thy great name.

3 But thy great gift is for the saints— Those who have fallen low; And who are held as captives still By man's relentless foe. And for all those who live and die, Believers on my name, It is for these and these alone, Unto the world I came.

4 'T was with glad tidings of great joy, I came unto my own, But they, alas! received me not; They seek another one. Their sacrificial offerings No longer now avail; Their cries through blood of beasts and birds With God will not prevail. Thus they will seek and wander on, With none to guide aright, Their sorrows shall be multiplied Who thus reject the light.

5 The Lord is my inheritance, I seek no earthly good; The cup of suffering I drink; It is the will of God. By his free grace death's pangs I taste— I taste for every man, All those who come I will receive, My lot thou wilt maintain.

6 A goodly heritage I have, The lines have favored me; My title and my right extends, Through all eternity. I on my Father's throne will reign, When conflicts all are o'er, A name shall have 'bove every name, Thenceforth forevermore. And when the curse is all removed, And all things are made new, A peaceful kingdom I shall have, A fair dominion too.

7 The Lord has been my counselor, In him do I confide; He's been my stay and my support, My helper and my guide. And in the seasons of the night, Instruction I obtain, By meditating on his word, His works and ways to man. And in the dark and trying hour, When sorrows press me sore, The secret purpose of my soul, Sustains me evermore.

8 The Lord my God is ever near, Always before my face; His presence shall be with me still, And his sustaining grace. In the great work—redemption's scheme, Which we together planned, I fear no foe, the Lord is near, He is at my right hand.

9 Because I know in whom I trust, I greatly do rejoice; My heart is glad, I'll praise the Lord— Praise him with cheerful voice. When down into the grave I go, My flesh shall rest in hope, And with the adversary great, Sure of success I'll cope.

10 For well I know thou wilt not leave My soul within the grave, Thou also wilt thy Holy One, From foul corruption save.

11 And in the conflict dire I wage With Death the prince of foes, The path which leads to endless life, To me thou wilt disclose. Where'er thou art, there is true joy, And happiness in store, Pleasures above at thy right hand— Pleasures forevermore. E. S. W.