"Whom have I in Heaven but You? There is none upon earth that I desire besides You!" Psalm 73:25
This Psalm was composed by Asaph, one of the three chief singers whom David had appointed in the house of God. The good man had experienced a severe trial from the infirmities of his own heart; which trial, together with the manner in which he was relieved, is described in this beautiful Psalm. "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked," and had indulged in unworthy complaints against divine providence. "This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits! Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence!"
This temper of uneasiness and distrust arose so high, that in a retrospect upon it he acknowledges, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold! I was as a beast before You!" The manner in which he obtained relief from this agitation, was by repairing to the sanctuary of God, where the light of divine revelation shone. Here he discovered, as through a window which opened into eternity, the awful end to which the wicked with all their prosperity were hastening. Here also he learned the final rewards of the righteous, and saw the mysterious inequalities of divine providence cleared up. The glory of God's faithfulness and truth so opened on his soul, and the comparative emptiness of all earthly things, that with more than recovered spirits he exclaimed, "You shall guide me with your counsel—and afterward receive me to glory! Whom have I in heaven but You? There is none upon earth that I desire besides You!"
My object will be, in the first place, to explain more fully how we are taught to feel by this example of Asaph, how such a temper will operate and what effects it will produce; and in the second place, to suggest some reasons which urge to such a temper.
I. I am to explain more fully how we are taught to feel by this example of Asaph, how such a temper will operate and what effects it will produce.
The Psalmist in these words expressed supreme delight in God as his all sufficient and only portion. "Whom have I in Heaven but You?" The only heaven I wish above—is but to see your face. Let others form confused ideas of the upper world, and desire it as a place wheresomething is to be enjoyed, they know not what—but I know what a heaven I desire. Could I ascend to the highest heavens and find the presence of my God withdrawn, it would be no heaven for me. The only reason I pant to ascend above the sun and all these ruinable worlds, is that I may bask in the sunshine of his smiles, and forever behold the source of light without one envious cloud between. Let me but sit at his feet and gaze upon his lovely face, and cry, with unutterable wonder and gratitude, "My Lord and my God!" and I ask no more! Let me but take some humble station in his glorious kingdom, where I may sit and read his name, where I may view his infinite happiness and glory and see his beloved kingdom blessed—and my soul will be filled!
