Long Range Promise

(Psa 16:10 KJV)  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

There are two levels of hope expressed in this verse.  The first is what David is applying to himself.  He has the assurance that God will not “leave” (abandon NASB) (5800a) his “soul” (5315) [nephesh] to “hell” (Sheol NASB) (7585).  This is one of the indications in the Old Testament that God offers eternal life to believers.  If David has that hope then we have it multiplied.

The second hope was a future prophecy for David but is a past assurance for us.  David switches from himself to the Messiah.  This is one of the prophecies that are brought out to point to Jesus rising from the dead.  When David died and was buried it became clear that he was not talking about himself.  Looking back we see the basis for our hope in the resurrection.

So?  As Paul implied, death has no sting for us.  It is a promise grounded centuries before Jesus was born.  It is still a promise today.