25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
In verses 25-28, Peter quoted Psalm 16:8-11 to show that the grave could not conquer Jesus. Because of His Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus’ body would not decompose. God had an eternal plan for Him (Acts 2:23).
2:25
For David says concerning Him:
Peter now quoted Psalm 16:8-11 to establish the fact of the Messiah’s Resurrection in the Old Testament. The apostle Peter saw Jesus fulfilling Psalm 16, a clear prediction of the Resurrection of the Messiah.
‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
David saw Jesus the “LORD” exalted.
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
Peter saw the Ascension of Jesus at the right hand of God as a fulfillment of Psalm 16:8-11. Since Jesus is LORD, David could count on His presence with him. He viewed God as never far from him and as his protector.
2:26
Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
David expressed joy and gladness of soul because of the LORD’s presence with him.
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
David anticipated the Resurrection, which gave him confidence about the future.
2:27
For You will not leave my soul in Hades [grave],
David believed that God would not allow his heir to experience permanent death in Hades. Hades can mean either the grave or the place of departed spirits. Here it means the grave. “My soul” is a reference to the coming Messiah.
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
Again, Peter verified through David the Resurrection of Jesus with David’s words. David prophesied that the body of Jesus would never reach a point of “corruption”; it would never decay.
2:28
You have made known to me the ways of life;
David rested in the joy of the Resurrection of the LORD. He knew that God had given him the prophecy that the Messiah would rise from the dead.
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
God’s presence is the source of joy (1 Jn 1:3-4). Regardless of David’s adversaries, his joy was in God’s presence. Peter related these thoughts to Jesus, who would have new life after His Resurrection and entrance into God’s presence after His Ascension.
PRINCIPLE:
Peter quoted Psalm 16 to show that it predicted the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.
APPLICATION:
Peter did not quote Psalm 16 to assert that Christ would assume David’s throne at His Ascension (as progressive dispensationalists believe). That event is yet future, when the Messiah will assume His throne in the Millennial kingdom. The point of Peter’s prediction was to affirm Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension.
Christians today have the privilege of the Lord Jesus intervening in prayer on their behalf (He 7:25).
