This, on the other hand, is the utterance of Jesus, not consciously dwelling in the house of the Lord, but as having come forth and met the oppositions of men. But as He had within carried Himself in the sanctity of a worshipper, so here outside He is keeping Himself from all evil in the midst of all; and in the confidence of this integrity, looking for vindication from God’s “presence,” and the rewards of righteousness in resurrection by and by, when His persecutors, who are “of the world, and have their portion in this life,” shall be cast down.
The persecuted righteous Remnant may also utter this in company with Jesus: indeed they seem to be introduced very distinctly, Psalm 17:1111They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; (Psalm 17:11).
NOTE—These two Psalms thus present the experiences of the Lord very differently. In Psalm 16 He enters into all the present joy of being a dweller in God’s house, a priest or worshipper who felt that his lines had fallen in pleasant places, because he was inside the house with God. In Psalm 17 He is outside in the trial of the world, meeting the oppositions of men, and seeking help and deliverance, and looking only to future things as His joy. In Psalm 16 the resurrection comes as the end of a blessed path; in Psalm 17 as relief from a trying and dangerous one.
The experiences of His saints are according to this also. At times it is the simple joy of resurrection, and at times the hope of being relieved by that from many a present burden which fills their souls. To be “within the vail” and at the same time “outside the camp” is the due attitude of the believer—and full of moral beauty and dignity that is.