SUNDAY PSALMS PART 26 OF 48 - PSALM 116

Cool Creek Park, Westfield, Indiana

 

1    I love the LORD, because He has heard
     My voice and my supplications.
2   Because He has inclined His ear to me,
     Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
3   The pains of death surrounded me,
     And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
     I found trouble and sorrow.
4   Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
     "O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!"

5   Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
     Yes, our God is merciful.
6   The LORD preserves the simple;
     I was brought low, and He saved me.
7   Return to your rest, O my soul,
     For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8   For You have delivered my soul from death,
     My eyes from tears,
     And my feet from falling.
9   I will walk before the LORD
     In the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore I spoke,
    "I am greatly afflicted."
11  I said in my haste,
    "All men are liars."

12 What shall I render to the LORD
     For all His benefits toward me?
13  I will take up the cup of salvation,
     And call upon the name of the LORD.
14  I will pay my vows to the LORD
     Now in the presence of all His people.
15  Precious in the sight of the LORD
     Is the death of His saints.

16  O LORD, truly I am Your servant;
     I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
     You have loosed my bonds.
17  I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
     And will call upon the name of the LORD.
18  I will pay my vows to the LORD
     Now in the presence of all His people,
19  In the courts of the LORD's house,
     In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. 

     Praise the Lord!
                        Psalm 116:1-19, New King James Version

 

Two of my favorite singers, both of whom I know personally, have written and recorded songs based on this Psalm (Barry Kay, "I Love The Lord," from his "Beyond The Song" project, and Amy Shreve, "Psalm 116," which leads off her "Whisper" CD and is also on her compilation "The God of All Hope.")

This is an uplifting Psalm, but verse 15 is the one that stands out: "Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of His saints." I especially think of this verse in connection with ministries to the Persecuted Church like Voice of the Martyrs, Spirit of Martyrdom, and Vision Beyond Borders.

One thing I noticed is the repetition of the phrase "call on the LORD" or more frequently "call on the Name of the LORD." I read an excellent book on the Biblical Theology of Prayer titled Calling On The Name of the Lord by J. Gary Millar. He focuses on how men started calling on the name of the Lord after the birth of Adam's grandson Enosh (Gen. 4:26), and defines how this is throughout Scripture asking God to do what He promised.
 

 

SHOULD WE CONSIDER DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN TO BE SAD?

Ralph Carmichael, 1927-2021

Okay, sometimes my reaction is a little bit delayed. It was almost six months ago that Christian composer/conducter Ralph Carmichael went home to be with the Lord. So hope my comments are still relevant. And it's not as much about Carmichael and his passing as it is seeing a few people call the event sad.

I had the honor of hearing him at Knott's Berry Farm. Dony and Reba McGuire hosted a live presentation of their album "The Lord's Prayer," which included Cynthia Clawson, B. J. Thomas, the Archers, and an orchestra conducted by Carmichael. I've also enjoyed some of his songs such as "He's Everything To Me" and "Love Is Surrender."

But when did that happen? 1981. Four years later, I believe he conducted the choir when Steve Camp recorded the song "Do Something Now" which was the Christian equivalent of "We Are The World." That was the last I heard of him in that context. The truth is that he didn't have much of an impact on my life.

Now, I'm sure his passing was a sad event for his family and friends as anybody's passing. But why would it be sadder than anybody else's life. Besides, he was 94! Shouldn't we consider him leaving this planet with COVID making a mess of things, a culture that is at war with God, and with a madman in Russia plotting the destruction of a neighboring country just because he can something to rejoice about, as well as rejoicing in his ministry?

I felt that way seven years ago when Andre Crouch was on his deathbed. The singer Carman, who was positively influenced personally by Andre, was asking for prayer for Andre's recovery, stating that he was only 72 and people had productive years after that. Maybe it was just me, but that hit me the wrong way. 

First, it implied a desire for Andre to stay. But again, wasn't it better for Andre to be with Jesus than here? Second, Gospel pianist Anthony Berger was called to his eternal award when he was 45. Was there something wrong with him leaving sooner? 

Let me add a thought. Is it death that's sad? Or is it really sin? After all, death is the consequence of sin. If there had not been sin, there would not have been death.  In eternity, we will be removed from the presence of sin, and as a result there would be no death.

Okay, maybe this is just my rambling. But maybe we should be thankful for the brief life we have, of the short time others can bless us and we can bless them. And maybe we should echo what the Psalmist said in Psalm 116:15 - "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints."