The Land of the Living

The Land of the Living

Psalms 116:9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

The phrase “the land of the living” is referred to 15 times in the Bible. Fourteen of those quotes are directly related to the “Promised Land.” But here in Psalms 116, the phrasing refers to a much different place! 

Where then is the real “Land of the Living?” It’s name alone sounds like a very wonderful place! Wouldn’t it be nice to live in “the land of the Living?”

This old world is not the true “Land of the Living!” Death has universally reigned in our world since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. This evil infested old world has ever since been a “land of the Dying!”

The chapter of Psalms 116 is a major part of the Jewish Hallel. It is the famous lyrical ode that Jesus Christ himself led the Disciples in singing on that fateful “Passover” night 2000 years ago, as he led them out to the Mount of Olives. (See Matthew 26:30)

As they made their way out of Jerusalem to the Garden of Gethsemane, undoubtedly the explicit words of this song echoed the reality of Jesus purpose for coming to the world. 

Pay close attention to the words in these verses from Psalms 116 and think about Jesus reciting them as he headed to the Garden to pray about his imminent sacrifice on the Cross.

Verse 1: I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Verse 2: Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

Here we have a scene of one praying to God seeking sustenance and has received vital help from the Lord; just as Jesus was about to do while his Disciples kept watch. 

Then in verse three, we see a shift in the scene, a preview of the dilemma that we all face here today, in the “Land of the Dying!”

Verse 3: The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

Verse three reflects the fate that we are all under as sinners. “The soul that sinneth shall die.” Thus death is the ultimate fate of all human beings. And beyond death, Hell is the appointed destiny of all sinners. And that horrible prospect should cause trouble and sorrow for everyone’s mind!

But verses four through eight offers a very good reason for hope, to all of us, that reside here in the “Land of the Dying.”

Verse 4: Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Verse 5: Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

Verse 7: Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

Verse 8: For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

These verses highlight the purpose of Jesus mission to this world on his first visitation. They point to the fact that God is the author of “Grace” and his mercy is extended to all mankind. 

The subject in this chapter called upon the Lord for help and found not only Grace, but also discovered rest for his soul! Verse six reveals that afore he was simple and lowly and could not salvage his own soul. Thus he foresaw that death and hell were his fate.

As Jesus sang this words as he trod out to the garden to pray, he was consumed with a loving desire to rescue dying mankind from the “land of the Dying” and make available the possibility of man to enter into the real “Land of the Living,” Heaven!

Therefore, after reciting the Hallel song, and praying to his Father, even asking his Father if it were possible to let this ordained “Cup of Salvation” pass from him; he nevertheless resolved himself to doing his Father’s Will. 

Verse 13: I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

In verses 17, 18 and 19, Jesus literally quotes the traditional praises of the “God of Grace” and submits to the foreordained sacrifice that God’s love offering for mankind would perform. He even repeats the actions of the Lamb of God enacting this sacrifice in front of all the people in Jerusalem! 

Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord indeed! 

Because of the Lords sacrifice; we can all have rest for our souls, knowing that when we leave this Land of the Dying; we can arrive in the “Land of the Living”!

Psalms 116:9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Focus on the Bible

December 15, 2021

by: Darrell G. Young