Psalm 16:1-2

My Shepherd spied me browsing about in His green pastures, and when I heard His voice, I ran to Him. He laid me down in Psalm 143, where the Mind of the Spirit inspired some thoughts to the spirit of my mind in verse 2:

Psalms 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

David wanted the LORD to give His ear to his supplications. Supple is an adjective describing something or someone as compliant, flexible, submissive, soft, or pliable. Supplicate is the verb, the action of complying, submitting. It is a compound of sub (under) and plicare (fold, or bend). David presented himself before the LORD, his knees bent in surrender, expressing submission and pleading for God’s attention to his prayer.

He asked GOD to “hear” him, to “give ear” to his plea—to listen with intention to regard his request.

He appealed to God’s faithfulness and righteousness. God had made many solemn promises to David, and this established a basis for David to plead to God’s righteousness. God said He would hear and help David, so the right thing for God to do would be to hear his plea.

David specifically requested that God would not enter into judgment with him. The word judgment indicates pronouncing a sentence or evaluating for the purpose of making a judgment. The fear of entering into judgment anticipates a concern that God would examine David’s merit in view of his request. There were times when David invited God’s assessment and sentence (Psalm 35:24; 43:1). These were specific instances involving a controversy with an enemy, in which he was just and the persecution was unjustified. In this case, David pled upon the mercy of God to “cut off all [his] enemies, and destroy all them that afflict [his] soul” (Psalm 143:12).*

David knew that if he “entered into judgment” with God, he would lose: “For in thy sight shall no man living be justified” (Psalm 143:2). He could stand scrutiny when being compared to someone else, but if standing alone before God, He knew “no man living [would] be justified.” There would be one who would come, a man Who would be tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Along the still waters, I remembered Job’s cry for God to answer for what came upon him (Job 9:29-10:2), and Jeremiah’s complaint that God had deceived him (Jeremiah 20:7). Job received his answer when God challenged him to take on Leviathan (Job 38-42), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-18). Many times I have presented my complaint to the LORD, and I will testify I’ve never justified myself against Him. It always ends the same way! My goodness never extends to His (Psalm 16:2). He is always right!

In the valley, shadowed by the Cross, I see the one living man that was justified in His sight! I see Him Who knew no sin made sin for me. I see Him Who took my judgment! I see Him Whose death gave me life, whose righteousness was given up for my sin, that my sin may be given up for His righteousness. I heard Him say, Meet me here. At this place, my life becomes yours and your life becomes mine! My Shepherd led me to the Cross and said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23)

At the table, we talked of rest, and He said, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:10). He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy followed as we walked together into His harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v718l4w-shepherds-pasture.html

[*Was this an occasion of the “sword” flashing in his house (2 Samuel 12:10-12; See Hallowed Be Thy Name, 20251103)? He did not feel that he could appeal on the ground of righteous judgment where it was clear he was in the right, and his enemies were in the wrong. So he framed his appeal upon the righteousness of God to keep His covenant, and the goodness of God to be merciful!]