MDB 70: Psalm 16

"For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption"

                                                                              -Psalm 16:10

On the road to Emmaus Jesus explained the Scriptures to the disciples, enabling them to see "in all the Scriptures the things concerning him." (Luke 24:27).   Psalm 16 was certainly one of those texts. We know this because both Peter and Paul cite it as pointing to the resurrection of the Messiah. 

David writes of the Lord's faithfulness to him, but the psalm looks ahead to David's greater Son, Jesus Christ. Peter quotes verses  8-11 on the day of Pentecost, arguing that "God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it" (Acts 2:24). Peter explained that David was dead and buried, but as a prophet he  "foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades (Sheol), nor did his flesh see corruption." (Acts 2:31).

Paul also used this passage to prove that Jesus is the Christ. In the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, Paul quotes Psalm 16:10 and follows it with reasoning similar to that of Peter. "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption." (Acts 13:36-37). Now notice the conclusion that Paul  presents, "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39).

The apostolic argument is that the "Holy One" who died to pay the penalty for our sins has satisfied the justice of God, has appeased his wrath, and now is raised from the dead because death has no claim on him any longer. Now he freely offers justification and life to all those who believe. Have you put your faith in Jesus?