It may seem a little crazy but when I saw this morning’s Bible verse on my LOGOS home page, my first thoughts were folks think they know what they desire but rarely find what they want. My mind wandered to You’re The One That I Want (From “Grease”) and “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by the band U2.  The latter is especially appropriate as it tells the story of U2 frontman Bono’s relationship struggles with Jesus. 

When Comparing our text for today and the songs noted above everyone especially anyone claiming to be a “Christian” should have a Biblical understanding that our only true desire is Christ Jesus and Him crucified.

CONTEXT

Chapter 73

 Hawker Psalm 73

Verse 25

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Whom have I in heaven, or in earth? as it follows. There is no other person nor thing in the world from which I can seek or hope for happiness, or which I am willing to accept as my portion. Let sinners have an earthly prosperity, I am satisfied with thee, and with thy favour. Since thou givest me support and conduct here, and carriest me safe from hence to eternal glory, what do I need more? or what can I desire more? But thee; which words must necessarily be understood here from the next clause, where they are expressed.

Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, vol. 2 (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1853), 116.

Ver. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee, &c.] Which includes God the Father, Son, and Spirit; God the Father, as his only covenant God and Father; Christ as his only Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer, Head, Husband, Advocate, and Intercessor; the Spirit as his only sanctifier, Comforter, earnest, and sealer; and is expressive of their being the one and only Lord God, the sole object of worship, trust, and confidence; his only helper and guide; and in whom his supreme happiness and glory lay; and it excludes the sun, moon, and stars, in the lower heavens, from being the object of worship and trust; and angels and glorified saints in the highest heavens: the words may be rendered, who is for me in heaven? on my side, my protector and defender; see Rom. 8:31 and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee; or with thee; there are many things on earth desirable, as riches, health, friends, food, raiment, &c. but not to be compared with God and Christ, and the blessed Spirit; with the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Ghost; there are none to be loved and delighted in as they, nor any thing so desirable as fellowship with them: or with thee I desire not the earth; the whole world, and all things in it, are nothing in comparison of God; if a man was possessed of the whole of it, and had not interest in the Lord, he would be miserable; and if he has an interest in him, he has enough without it; for all things are his, God is all in all; wherefore he is willing to leave all, and be with him for ever: the Targum is, “who is like unto thee, that is, mine in heaven but thee? and with thee I do not desire a companion on earth.” See Psal. 89:6.

John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament, vol. 4, The Baptist Commentary Series (London: Mathews and Leigh, 1810), 6.

STUDY

RCS – Psalm 73 15-28

In the above reference, there is a pretty systematic approach to the Theology being expressed here,  that God and God alone should and can be the subject of all our desires. This of course immediately shuts down the argument put forth by the name it and claim it crowd and their widespread misuse of Psalm 37:4  One must ask themselves what am I desiring? Is it God above all else. Can I echo with confidence the Westminster Larger Catechism Question #1:

1. What is the chief and highest end of man?

Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever.

Here is an expert from the RCS referenced above:

GOD SATISFIES ALL DESIRES. JACOBUS ARMINIUS: He is infinite in his essence, his wisdom, his power and goodness. He is the first and chief verity, and truth itself in the abstract. But the human mind is finite in nature, the substance of which it is formed; and only in this view is it a partaker in infinity—because it apprehends infinite being and the Chief Truth, although it is incapable of comprehending them. David, therefore, in an exclamation of joyful self-congratulation, openly confesses that he was content with the possession of God alone, who by means of knowledge and love is possessed by his creatures. If you are acquainted with all other things any yet remain in a state of ignorance with regard to him alone, you are always wandering beyond the proper point, and your restless love of knowledge increases in the proportion in which knowledge itself is increased. The man who knows only God, and who is ignorant of all things else, remains in peace and tranquility, and … he congratulates himself greatly and triumphs. THE OBJECT OF THEOLOGY.

Herman J. Selderhuis and Timothy George, eds., Psalms 73–150: Old Testament, vol. VIII, Reformation Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2018), 10.

 

BONUS SERMON

I could not find a decent Devotional but anytime I can add in a Puritan reformer sermon it is a bonus.

God the Best Portion of the Christian

by

Jonathan Edwards
(1703-1758)

Dated April, 1736

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.” — Psalm 73:25

 Subject: ’Tis the spirit of a truly godly man to prefer God before all other things either in heaven or earth.