PSALM SIXTEEN THE PATH OF LIFE. This psalm has the title "A Mitcham of David." Five other Psalms have a similar title. There is no conclusive evidence as to what exactly is meant by 'mitcham'. It has been argued that it could be the name of a musical instrument, or the reference to the tune to be sung. It could also be the instruction, "Write in gold letters", and when we read it, it is indeed a 'Golden Psalm. Some insist that everything in the psalm refers to Christ. That it is Messianic, can surely be proved by the way Peter and Paul quote it in Acts 2 and Acts 13. One of the golden nuggets in this psalm is in verse 11: "Thou wilt show me the path of life!" This is the path that man has blindly groped for ever since he has been on earth. It is a right of way into the presence of God. The singer of this psalm tells of ONE who has found the way through. In verse 3, the path begins with the grand announcement, "My goodness extends to the saints in the earth and to the excellent." The excellent are those of solid worth; the elite of earth are God's own people. Christ's bounty to them is THE PATH OF IFE. Men really thought the path was to be found in their drink offerings of blood. In a way, they still think so. They seek a better way of life by the constant bloodletting of generation after generation. Christ commands, "Drink my blood!" If mankind accepted the blood of Christ as the propitiation for our sins, the shedding of human blood in constant war would cease. When we accept His sacrifice - Our names are on His lips. The path of life is in our inheritance in Him. (Vs.5.) The way of life is within the boundaries He has set for us. (Vs.6.) The way of life depends on guidance deep within. (Vs.7.) The way of life is in having a single objective. (Vs.8) The way of life is in Joy. (Vs.9); for the way of life leads straight through death, and hell, and the grave. "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption." Here then is the path of life...out of the grave undying and incorruptible. The Climax of the Psalm is the end of the Path of Life. "In Thy presence there is fulness of Joy and at Thy right hand pleasures for evermore." Christ is THE WAY and His resurrection is fundamental. The heart of man longs for the joy and pleasure which is only found in the presence of God. Jesus said, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me!" Copyright (c) 1995, Hedley Palmer. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/hpalmer/psalms: ps-016.txt .