Engraved In Gold
I was so impressed by the presentation of this Psalm as it is translated in The Passion Translation, especially this unusual opening statement of authorship. Can you imagine the intensity of praise that emanated from the hearers as the King began to sing? It was as though the words were gold-plated!
The entirety of the Psalm is given here [with a few of my meager comments in brackets].
A precious song, engraved in gold, by King David. [The KJV says A Michtam of David].
“Keep me safe, O mighty God. I run for dear life to you, my safe place. [We always run from something to something. The Name of the Lord is a strong tower…].
2 So I said to the Lord God, “You are my Maker, my Mediator, and my Master. Any good thing you find in me has come from you.” [None of us have anything we did not receive from Him!]
3 And he said to me, “My holy lovers are wonderful, my majestic ones, my glorious ones, fulfilling all my desires.” [Are you listening? Wonderful, majestic, glorious ones. Don’t listen to the devil calling you vile names. God doesn’t make junk!]
4 Yet there are those who yield to their weakness, and they will have troubles and sorrows unending. I never gather with such ones, nor give them honor in any way. [Stay away from those who would drive you away from Him].
5 Lord, I have chosen you alone as my inheritance. You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion. I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands. [My destiny (the What), its timing (the When), in your hands. (the Who.)]
6 Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I’m overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following you, for you have given me the best! [Take time today to count your many blessings. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly”].
7 The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more, for your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next. [Our Lord is not given to shouting but whispering. Be sure to listen, for it is these moments He will show us what we ought to do].
8 Because you are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment. [His wrap-around presence immediately appeals to the nature of the little child responding to the secure arms of love].
9 My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory! Even my body will rest confident and secure.
[Even my body will respond positively when my soul is ‘exploding’ with joy].
10 For you will not abandon me to the realm of death, nor will you allow your Holy One to experience corruption. [His promise―I will never leave you nor forsake you].
11 For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life, the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.” [Resurrection life…the path of bliss…face-to-face with Jesus]. (Psalm 16:1-11 TPT).
Francis Mason
Pastor Mason