Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none on earth that I desire beside you.… I. THE PSALMIST HAD ASCERTAINED WHAT THE NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF AN ADEQUATE PORTION FOR MAN MUST BE. He had, without doubt, considered himself, his nature, his wants, his capacities — had thought on his situation, and the dangers to which he was exposed from every quarter. He must have ascertained what influence that must have on his soul, and on those scenes of trial and temptation through which he might be called to pass — what it must do when strength and flesh fail, when death shall call him away from every created comfort, dissolve the dearest and tenderest connections — what it must do for his departing spirit, and that throughout eternity — to which he could direct his thoughts, and say, "This is all I want." II. THE PSALMIST HAD RESOLVED THE QUESTION, WHETHER THE PROPER PORTION AND FELICITY OF MAN WAS IN CREATED NATURE, OR IN GOD. This would be his language: — "Could I ensure the favour and friendship of Jehovah; His power, my shield; His light, my sun; His wisdom, my counsellor; His arm, my support; that consolation and joy He can at present create; and that never-ending felicity He can give me to possess; should I not then have what will satisfy my soul? May I not rest here, and say — 'It is enough'?" III. THE TEXT EXPRESSES THE DECIDED CONVICTION OF THE PSALMIST, THAT THE ONLY PORTION AND FELICITY OF MAN IS IN GOD. 1. God is all-sufficient. There is no difficulty from which He cannot extricate the soul, no enemy out of the reach of His arm, no evil impending which He cannot prevent, nor any sum of felicity but what He can bestow. 2. God is an unchangeable good. 3. God is a portion of which the pious can never be deprived. IV. OUR TEXT SUPPOSES THE PSALMIST'S PERSUASION, THAT JEHOVAH WOULD BECOME THAT MAN'S PORTION, WHO, RENOUNCING EVERY OTHER, SEEKS IT IN HIM. V. ON THIS CONVICTION, THE PSALMIST MADE AN ACTUAL AND DELIBERATE CHOICE OF GOD. VI. THE PSALMIST REPOSED IN GOD WITH ENTIRE SATISFACTION — HE WAS THE SUPREME OBJECT OF HIS DESIRE AND DELIGHT. (N. Hill.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.WEB: Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you. |
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