A Beautiful Heritage

Psalm 16:1-11

Especially vs. 5-7

Once again we turn to Psalm 16 and this week, focus on 3 of the 11 verses.

If we allow it, this mikhtam will continually helps us.

A Mikhtam of David

But what exactly IS a mikhtam?

Right in the title we have a seldom explored mystery of Psalm 16.

This is one of 6 Psalms labeled a “mikhtam of David.”

Psalm 16 stands separate from the other 5 mikhtams of David which are all together in Psalms 56-60

Another place that the word “mikhtam” is used is in:

Isaiah 38:9 (LSB) A writing [miktam] of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery:

Vs. 10-20 are Hezekiah’s mikhtam

Unfortunately, we are not sure what a “mikhtam” is. The exact meaning of the word has been lost in the misty past.

GotQuestions.org says what I have seen many other sources say:

That possibly the underlying meaning of michtam is “engraving,”

If that is true, then the songs labeled as “michtams” could have been considered of such value to be stamped or engraved upon tablets for long-term preservation.

Then there are some scholars who see the word michtam as meaning “golden,” a definition that would also assign great value to a song so labeled.

If you combine the 2 you end up with “a psalm as precious as stamped or engraved gold”; …

Yet other scholars associate mikhtam with mystery, which deals with covered or “hidden things.”

So a mikhtam would be a poem that grapples with the mysteries of life such as why the righteous suffer, why the wicked prosper and what lies beyond the grave.

A mikhtam teaches that us that trust in God is the only way to cope with these uncertainties of existence.

Trust is actually mentioned in Ps. 16 in relation to future life and in Pss. 56; 57, the first two of the other five miktams, all of which grapple with the sense of personal powerlessness in the face of stronger enemies.

Other scholars think the word michtam is simply a technical term to guide the singer or to denote the tune to be played.

In the end, we don’t know.

Like the words maskil, selah, and shigionoth( shig-gaw-YONE), michtam remains somewhat of a mystery in the Hebrew song book.

But it IS worth looking at the psalms I mentioned (16, 56-60) and the song of Hezekiah in Isaiah 38 to see what similarities they may have to one another.

And how they might be a blessing to us when WE are feeling overwhelmed.

A Beautiful Heritage

But this morning, as we look at this first mikhtam of David, I would like for us to zero in on what he says in verses 5-7.

Psalm 16:5–6 (LSB) Yahweh 9our covenant-keeping God] is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.

Even in the midst of storms, trials, pain and challenges.

ALL of which happen because we live in a fallen world.

A world where, from the beginning of creation, humanity chose sin, evil and corruption rather than holiness and life.

Even in such tough times, following Jesus is better than going it alone.

Or intentionally following after evil — as so many do today.

As verse 6 says in the NASB, at the end, we have a beautiful heritage.

One of the things this area likes to celebrate in June is the Scottish Highland Festival.

That’s because many of this area’s people have a Scottish and Irish heritage.

As wonderful as it would be to have a Scottish heritage, how much better to have a godly heritage or to GIVE a godly heritage.

You parents and grandparents have the opportunity to do more than show how to wear a kilt and throw a caber.

You can give your children and grandchildren, the Wilcoxes can give their brand-new great grandbaby a heritage of knowing Jesus and following Him in obedience.

Now THAT is a beautiful heritage!

And then if we look at verses 5 and 6 in The Passion Translation we hear King David say:

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. 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! Psalms 16:5-6

As we look at verse 5 we hear David reminding us that God:

Has given US a portion in His promised land.

The land promised to us that is so much better than what God promised Israel.

A land to which they travelled under Moses and entered into and conquered under Joshua.

We also hear David saying: God has poured a cup of blessing upon and into my life.

The Fire Bible says:

When, David refers to the inheritance or “portions” here in Psalm 16, he is talking about what Israel, God’s people received when they entered the promised land, not just fields and land (As Nu 16:14 said: a land flowing with milk and honey) BUT EVEN MORE an inheritance of God’s presence.

In fact, the priestly tribe of Levi, received no fields or land — ONLY the inheritance of God’s Presence.

Joshua 13:33 (NASB95) But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised to them.

Can I stop right here and ask us a question?

God and His Presence was ALL the tribe of Levi received.

If you were a Levite, would you feel cheated?

Is God enough for us?

Is His Presence enough?

Yes, we have to work to live.

Genesis 3:17–19 (NASB95) Then to Adam [God] said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. 18 “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; 19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”

Yes, as long as are on this earth we struggle to provide for ourselves and our families.

But when is enough, enough?

When do we acknowledge that the things of this world are a counterfeit for the things of God, for His Presence?

When do we stop with provision and then pour our passion and energy into spending time in His Presence?

Do we have to have that new car, that boat, that home improvement, that expensive vacation — so that we have to work 80 hours a week to obtain it?

Please pray about it.

What if God’s Presence was all I had.

Would His Presence be enough?

The Fire Bible goes on to say:

The “cup” is a metaphor that refers to the refreshing drink that would be offered to a guest as an act of kindness and hospitality.

In this case, the Lord is both the “portion” and the “cup” (cf. 73:26; Nu 18:20; Dt 18:2).

If we will let Him, He is our inheritance, our source of blessing and the only means of continued happiness (Jn 14:23).

Jesus echoes David in:

Matthew 19:27–29 (NASB95) Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

Those who are ALL IN for Jesus inherit and receive so much more AND eternal life.

What does that inheritance look like?

Revelation 21:1–7 (NASB95) [gives us a glimpse, when John the Revelator said] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Did you hear it?

Our beautiful heritage, our glorious inheritance:

Is so totally different as to be almost inconceivable ...

THIS world — filled with sin, filled with evil, filled with temptation, filled with pain and death and sorrow — is destined for the fire of destruction.

2 Peter 3:7 (NASB95) … by His word [by God’s Word] the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:10–13 (NASB95) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

The inheritance for which we look is a NEW heavens and a NEW earth.

Our inheritance is the New Jerusalem.

It is an inheritance full of the righteousness of God.

Praise God with me for OUR inheritance in Jesus!

(Give praise for our glorious destination!)

Counsel and Guidance

Not only is God our portion and our cup — He is our guide.

Praise God for His guidance!

The KJV is difficult to understand: Psalm 16:7 (KJV) I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

Listen to verse 7 in the Passion Translation:

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. Psalms 16:7

God promises to lead us in:

Psalm 32:8 (NASB95) I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Praise God for the promise of:

Psalm 48:14 (NASB95) For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.

Of course there is the scripture to which we continually run — because we know we desperately need it:

James 1:5 (NLT) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

We live in the midst of chaos, confusion and uncertainty.

At any moment the whole economy could collapse like Silicone Valley Bank, Signature Bank.

Credit Suisse is on the ropes.

What is next?

We need the Lord’s guidance and counsel.

When we lay our heads on our pillow at night we need to be ready to hear the Lord whisper His direction.

King David said, “I will bless the Lord...”

Can we do that right now?

Can we bless and praise the Lord for giving us guidance in uncertain times?

Do you need assurance?

I would like to ask the Worship team to come to the platform.

As we close the service this morning I want to give you the opportunity to turn to the Lord.

To make Him your portion and cup?

To turn to Him for guidance, counsel, correction, wisdom?

Turn to Jesus.

Maybe for the first time.

Maybe as an act of rededication.

Because through every storm, He will be there.

Lean on Him.

Altar