"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah."
Psalm 49:15
Psalm 49, has the title “Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?” Several troubles are mentioned early in the chapter. In verses 14-15, “trouble” is said to be “death.” For the unrighteous, death is seen as their “shepherd” leading them into Sheol, the grave. Death feeds on them there. Spurgeon reminds us that the righteous are guided by the “Good Shepherd,” and we never have to fear where He will lead us. “In the morning, the upright shall have dominion over them.” Verse fifteen shows what God does for the righteous in death.
“But God will redeem my soul.”
For the godly Old Testament saints, Sheol is but a temporary holding place for God’s dead to wait for the resurrection. The psalmist was sure that God himself will take care of his soul.
“For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” (Psalm 86:13).
“Like our risen Head, we cannot be holden by the bands of the grave; redemption has emancipated us from the slavery of death. No redemption could man find in riches, but God has found it in the blood of his dear Son”[1] (Spurgeon).
“From the power of the grave.”
The Hebrew text says here from “the hand of Sheol.” The hand is a picture of strength. Surely Sheol will have a powerful grasp on those who are abiding there. But even Sheol does not have the power to keep God’s Old Testament saints in their graves. Jesus has won the victory over sin, death, and the grave for all saints, Old Testament and New!
“For He shall receive me. Selah.”
The psalmist was confident that his God would be there for him. “Receive me” means to “take me out of [Sheol]”[2] (Bullinger). Death and the grave may be powerful, but God is all-powerful! The victory over death has been won by Christ, the Messiah whom the Old Testament believers never met during their lifetimes. The psalmist’s confidence was well-placed!
Believers, our God provides for us, even in death!
Selah, now think about this beautiful truth.
[1] C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] E.W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, the electronic version in eSword.