The Gospel in Psalm 139
What is the way everlasting David speaks of at the end of Psalm 139? It is certainly the way of the righteous as stated in Psalm 1 — the way of blessedness, which is defined by obedience and satisfaction in God’s written word. But it is also defined by obedience to the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, the true blessed man of Psalm 1.
What did the Lord Jesus tell us about His way? That it was narrow and hard but leads to life (Matt. 7:14). The Lord Jesus also said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:2–6).
This way everlasting is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ and the way he gives us through His gospel. I pray these gospel reflections will help you to savor the gospel not only in this Psalm but in all of scripture, for it all bears witness about Jesus (John 5:39).
The good news of Jesus meets us with hope in facing the reality of the omniscience of God (Ps. 139:1–6). It is somewhat of a scary thought that God knows every text, snapchat, and phone call you have ever made. But the gospel offers forgiveness for all the sin in the dark we have ever committed. Though God knows all our sin, he covers it, removes it and does not count it against us in Christ (Ps. 32:1–2; 103:12). “The gospel is this,” Tim Keller says, “we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Christian, you are known and loved more than you could ever imagine.
The good news of Jesus is what makes the omnipresence of God (Psalm 139: 7–12) come down to us in the flesh to be with us. The pre-existent son of God, the second person of the Trinity took on flesh in order to show us God most clearly. How is it that we can make our bed in Sheol and God still be there?
Jesus died, was buried, and descended to the dead, to Sheol. To paraphrase Matt Emerson on the topic of Christ’s descent to the dead, Jesus proclaimed victory to the underworld and its ruler, and rose again as the the Lord of heaven, earth, and under the earth. Christian, you are never alone, and “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be to separate” you “from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39). Christian, even in death you will not be separated from Christ, because Jesus is with you in life and death. Not only do you awake every morning to Him, but you will one day awaken from death and He will still be with you. Sleep is a rehearsal of death and waking up is a rehearsal of resurrection.
The good news of Jesus is where the climax of God’s omnipotence (Psalm 139:13–16) is revealed to us, especially in Jesus’ glorious resurrection. All things were made through Christ, “and without him was not anything made that was made” (Jn. 1:4), not even you. But not only were we formed through Christ; He is also the one who died so that we would be born again (Jn. 3:3) and be formed in us (Gal. 4:19) in order for us to resurrect triumphantly into eternal life just as He did. Christian, the one who has all authority in heaven and earth has given you victory over death, hell, and the grave. You will one day reign with him, judging even the angels (2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Cor. 6:3).
The gospel is where the only innocent One was slain instead of the wicked who deserved to be slain (Psalm 139:19). We all deserve punishment for our sin, but it was put on Christ instead for all those who repent and believe in Him (Rom. 3:21–26; 2 Cor. 5:21). And because of this we can pray for our enemies that they too may find refuge from the wrath to come while at the same time abhorring what is evil.
Man of sorrows, what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Stand unclean, no one else could
In my place condemned He stood
Now his nearness is my good
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Gloria a Dios, the Sovereign King. Infinite, and yet personal, who reigns forever and ever. Amen.
