Psalm 16:5-6 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: you maintain my lot.… There are two things intimately connected with each other, and bearing much upon ourselves, which can neither be expressed nor conceived — the extent of human misery, and the depth of human sin. But our text calls us not to measure the extent of human misery, so much as to look at the mercy of God to all them who fear Him; not to let down line and plummet into the abyss of human depravity, but to look upon an exhaustless spring of consolation-the river that maketh glad the city of God, and of which we may drink forever. We have not to listen to the self-upbraidings of those who have chosen wrong; but to describe the happy condition of those who have chosen right. We fearlessly assert that they only are happy who can say, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance," etc. I. THE CHARACTER HERE DESCRIBED. 1. To such a man God is recognised in His real character, sovereign and supreme, the Source of all that is enjoyed here or expected hereafter. Here is the difference between those who serve the Lord and those who serve Him not. There is nothing of good in this world which is not open to the believer as much as to anyone else; all instruments and appliances of happiness are bestowed on him as well as on them. But besides all this he can say, "The Lord is the portion," etc. How wretched they who have only this world. 2, But is God your portion? that is the great question. Do you know of any sinking into the grave without God, who have turned away from opportunities which will never return? Think of them, and resolve never to be as they. II. THE DISTINCTIVE FEATURE OF THE BLESSING, — PERPETUITY. The "lot" of the believer is to be "maintained," no matter how terrible and distressing his circumstances may be. And it is so, But this cannot be said of any worldly lot. Solomon had the world's best, yet his heart took no rest. "Vanity and vexation of spirit" is his verdict upon it all. But the wisdom and the power of God uphold the "lot" in which the believer rejoices. And this is not all a matter of opinion and faith. For the life of the godless will not bear reflection. Hence they hate solitude. But the believer when alone can say, "I am not alone, for the Father is with me." And death has lost its sting, and the future brings no fear, for he knows that God will ever maintain his "lot." (T. Dale, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.WEB: Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure. |
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