Psalm 143:7

Psalm 143:7

Identifying with the dead!

This is a troubling verse! If our spirits fail, does that mean that we are about to die? This outcome was certainly in David’s mind and, as we have noted, it was not just the oppression of His enemies and the impending certainty of being killed that brought David so low, he was isolated and lonely, riddled by fear and without hope. The man who had been anointed, some years before, to be the future King of Israel saw all his hopes and ambitions crashing down around him and it’s likely that he thought he had failed himself, His family, his friends and his nation, even his God! Once again, we must take note that when there was nowhere else to turn, David cast himself on the mercy of the Lord and begs Him to not turn away and to not make Himself unapproachable or unreachable

The final phrase of Psalm 143:7 is chilling! It throws further light on how the ancient Jews saw their fate beyond death. We know that they believed in Sheol, the place of all departed spirits. To go down to the pit is a metaphor for death and the moment when a soul leaves this world. There is no doubt that this was never to be seen as a pleasant experience, the ancients had no access to the glories and attractions of heaven with Christ, although there was some belief that the righteous and the wicked were treated differently.  Jesus Himself talked about the beggar (Lazarus)who dwelt in Abraham’s bosom as opposed to the rich man who was in anguish in the torments of hell, (Luke 16)

Thankfully, David still had hope that if the Lord did not abandon him, he might be saved from such torments. The future that awaits all of us who believe is vastly different to the fate of those who must face the judgement of God. Nothing has changed except that Messiah came and opened a door for us to be cleansed and made fit for the presence of God – forever! Hallelujah!

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