Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the eternal God, who invites us to share eternity with Him. David concludes Psalm 23 with these words: “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Throughout Scripture there is some breadth of meaning for the “house of the LORD.” Obviously, the temple was not built yet during David’s lifetime. I believe the heart behind David’s words is that of a close relationship or proximity to God, whether that be in this life or the next. The point of David’s statement is that it will never end, so I believe that his primary message is regarding eternity in heaven.
This would not preclude a closeness with God here on this earth, as the introduction to that forever-closeness. “And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever” (Ps. 41:12). “He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him” (Ps. 61:7). I believe both of these verses start with David’s closeness to God on this earth and continue with his closeness to God in heaven.
David highly esteemed God’s house and close fellowship with God. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple” (Ps. 65:4). “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me” (Ps. 69:9). Again, this started with earthly fellowship and earthly passion, but it ends in forever in a place beyond what this world can offer.
David did not expect his closeness to God to end when he died. David believed in eternity. God had revealed this truth to His followers even before the written Scriptures introduced it, and David had a personal revelation from God in the Davidic covenant. “When thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I raise up thy seed after thee” (I Chr. 17:11). “Going to be with his fathers” meant more than death; it meant reunion with people who were now living with God. After his child died, David anticipated an eventual reunion with that child. “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (II Samuel 12:23).
David fervently believed in “forever.” This started with knowing that death was not the end. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Ps. 16:10). While the second part of this verse is fulfilled in Jesus, Psalm 16 is personal for David, and the first part of the verse indicates he does not expect to stay in the grave. David expected a long life, but even the longest of lives on this earth does not equate with David’s expectation of forever and ever. “He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it to him, even length of days for ever and ever. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever” (Ps. 21:4,6a). David expected to live beyond this life.
David did not hold this expectation for himself only, but for all of God’s true followers. “For the LORD loveth judgment and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever” (Ps. 37:28-29). Whether referring to Israel in particular or God’s followers in general, these verses cannot be ultimately fulfilled on this fallen earth. The wicked still exist, and no one has yet received an inheritance or land that cannot be threated. Those scenarios will change only in eternity.
Several verses seem to reach the pinnacle of David’s joy and wonder as he considers eternity with God. “As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Ps. 133:3). Life forever! “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Ps. 145:13). Everlasting kingdom! How could there be any clearer statements about eternity!?
Then grasp this! David was not speaking abstractly or objectively. He wasn’t referring to eternity merely as a fact or detail. The fact that something lasts forever does not make it inherently good or desirable. But in the case of dwelling with God forever … Well, in that setting, David exclaims: “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11b). Eternity with God will be unimaginable joy and splendor that we cannot even comprehend. So David prays, “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings” (Ps. 61:4). Starting in his lifetime, David desired this closeness and belonging; he expected that it would never end.
I find it very interesting that this final statement of Psalm 23 is tacked on almost as an afterthought. David has described the many glorious ways in which his Shepherd cared for him, and then he closes with, “Oh, by the way, I’ll live in His house forever” without elaborating. But this simple statement absolutely overwhelms, engulfs, surpasses, and supersedes everything that has come before it! Compared to this phrase, the others are bland.
The wonder of God as our Shepherd doesn’t end with death; it grows astronomically. Think of it this way. Of all the things in verses 1-6a, which of them will still be true or needed in eternity? God will still be our Shepherd and will still supply all that we need, but no one in heaven will be thinking about needs. He will still be with us. That won’t change. He will still provide abundantly for us.
But think of the negatives – the things that will no longer apply. There will be no need or deprivation in heaven. There will no need of protection and oversight, because there will be no enemies or dangers. There will be no need for times of refreshment and peace, because everything will be that. There will be no need for our souls to be restored, as they will never again be crushed by hurt or fear, doubt or disappointment. There will be no need for guidance or for sanctification, because we will be made perfect in His presence. There will be no valleys, no shadows, no death, no fears, no evils, no threats. There will be no need for comfort or even for the written Word of God, as we will see God Himself clearly revealed and will have all the knowledge that He intends for us. There will be no enemies and no times of especially pressing needs. There will be no need for goodness and lovingkindness to sustain us during the trials or even drudgery of this life. No, no. All of these things will be gone – perhaps remaining as memories of God’s goodness and care for us in this life – but swallowed up in dwelling with Him in His house forever! What a glorious conclusion to a wonderful psalm!
Conclusion: This psalm is not written like theology. It is written as David’s personal testimony. Not one statement is empty or merely academic; it is all very personal. There are no trite or glib statements made simply because they are the right thing to say. David fervently believed these things. He had seen them and experienced them in special and meaningful ways.
While not written as theology, nevertheless, it is theology. Therefore, it can be the personal testimony of every believer. The details that you and I fill in will not be the same as David’s details. David’s life is not your life or my life, but David’s God is your God and my God. This can be our testimony, too. “The LORD is my shepherd.” Each of these statements can be just as special and meaningful for us as we also experience the special walk with our Shepherd and look toward eternity with Him.
I hope you have gleaned some of the profit, enjoyment, and encouragement that I have through this extended look at Psalm 23 through the eyes of David. God bless!
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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