by Rev. Alex. McPherson
(continued from Vol. 74, page 362)
PSALM ONE HUNDRED AND THREE
Verse 4. “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies”.
If, for a moment, we first consider that by these first words David might have meant the many instances when his life had been spared, we shall prepare the way for an enquiry into their deeper meaning. In his past had been escapes from a lion and also a bear; then from the fearsome giant Goliath, and from other ferocious human foes like Saul, the Philistines, and his own son Absalom. Why did he not lose his life on these and other occasions? And what about ourselves? Why have we been spared until now, along with millions of our fellow creatures, when the sentence for sin is death? Because of a Redeemer! David knew this, not only as the reason for his life being spared, but as also applicable to his eternal destiny. His life had been redeemed so that death in all its forms would be overthrown. Let us seek to realise that sin has exposed us to death which in its fullest extent and final form is, “destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power”. We are dead spiritually, by nature, will die physically, and be destroyed eternally if not redeemed.
What then is redemption which delivers from this destruction? It means to recover a captive, slave, or condemned person by the payment of a price. In the Bible there is a good deal said about the function of a human redeemer (Goel) which is true also of the one divine Redeemer who came to seek and to save the lost.
- (1) A redeemer could recover property, or liberate a slave without waiting for the Jubilee.
- (2) He must be the next of kin, but such could concede his right to a more distant kinsman. (Ruth 3: 12, 13)
- (3) He had to act as the avenger of blood if necessary.
- (4) He might have to raise up children to a brother dying childless.
The redemptive work of Christ closely paralleled this. By his self-sacrifice He bought back his sinful people from condemnation, and restored them all that they lost through sin. He avenged Himself upon the slayer of his people. He took into union with Himself an unworthy bride. And in order to do all this He became our near-kinsman: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”. Think of his humiliation, rejection, sufferings, reproach and death! “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”.
Now, when David composed this Psalm, these things had not yet been done, but they had been foretold and promised, and people like David, believing this good news, were redeemed in anticipation of the actual payment of the ransom. Because promised by God, redemption was inevitable. Have you believed in redeeming love? Do you see it as a necessary forerunner of forgiveness and healing? Redemption ensures that these benefits will continue forever, for eternal life has been procured for the redeemed by the last Adam’s obedience unto death. Bless his holy name!
The redemption of the life casts a happy glow over the future. The death of the body there must be, but even that is transmuted into a falling asleep in Jesus. Later there is to be a glorious resurrection, and death is to be swallowed up in victory. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?” And after the resurrection there is to be the full enjoyment of eternal life. Well, all this is wonderful, but wait! there is something more of God’s gracious benefits to be mentioned. He gives a foretaste of heaven while the believer is still on earth, by bestowing an abundance of loving-kindness and tender mercies. Life consists in the favour of God. He will confirm to his people here that He has redeemed their life from destruction. The crowning act of his grace shown to them in this life is that He lavishes upon them loving-kindnesses and tender mercies which speak to them of his unfailing love and care.
When they come to glory, they shall be rid of sin and shall fully appreciate his grace, and fully relish the life they shall possess. Here, however, they are still sinful, not always trustful, too ready to complain and even to turn in their minds back to the fleshpots. They do not fully realize the greatness of grace, and are not as thankful as they should be. Nevertheless, goodness and mercy follow them all their days, and when their spirits are stirred up to feel this, then they discern that He who has redeemed their life is giving them tokens of their title to eternal life by showering upon them lovingkindness and tender mercies. They are guided, preserved, instructed and made wise. They are strengthened, comforted, made humble and aided in innumerable ways. All things work together for their good: they are never forsaken or left destitute of hope. Who can measure the kindness and mercy of it all? These favours are the signs of life that shall never end. Do they not crown his grace toward us?
“For great to usward ever are
his loving kindnesses:
His truth endures for evermore.
The Lord O do ye bless.” (Ps. 117: 2.)