(Read this post to see why I'm studying this particular passage in this particular way. Scroll down down down to see the entire passage.)
We already looked at verse 5, but I'll repeat it here because verse 6 requires the context of 5.
(vs. 5) LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
(vs. 6) The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
If you read my post on Psalm 16:5, you'll notice the theme repeats a lot - which means there is overlap in my notes. I'll try not to repeat things, but instead point out where they are repeated. When lines in the Bible are repeated - either the same concept in different words or word-for-word, it always means, "This is REALLY important" or "This is the whole crux of the psalm, the part that ties it all together." You'll often see this this in the middle of a psalm (especially in a "chiasm" format), as many psalms are waves of emotion. They start out one place, go to another, and end up in another. So it is with this one.
Photo by Jan Canty on Unsplash
"The boundary lines"
Sometimes this word is interpreted in the same way we use it for kids. We set up boundaries for them to keep them safe. For example, we set up a fence around the yard and warn them to stay within that area.
One interpretation of this term, in this verse, could be the same for us, because it is certainly true. God has set up boundaries for our safety - and this interpretation is consistent with the rest of the passage, which emphasizes the security and safety God provides for us.
There's another interpretation consistent with the rest of the passage too, and it has to do with land. "Land" was already mentioned in verse 3 (the holy people who are in the land) and verse 5 (my lot). Since verse 6 is basically a restatement of verse 5, I think it is fair to say that "boundary" can be interpreted as "my lot".
Boundaries/lots that God gave his people have historically been another sign of security. When the Israelites finally took over (part) of the Promised Land according to God's direction, he instructed Moses with specific boundaries for each of the tribes for them to settle in. Boundary lines indicate God fulfilling a promise. They indicate settling down, instead of camping and moving constantly and not having a home in the wilderness. They indicate security, a place where one can build an army, train soldiers, build walls against enemies. They indicate the end of a long journey, a final place to rest.
In this verse, he gives us the same things: fulfills a promise, gives us a place and a home, lets us settle down (see Psalm 23, "he makes me lie down in green pastures"), keeps us safe (see verse 1) and gives us a place to finally rest.
Remember that David wrote this psalm. I don't know if he wrote it in a time of peace or not. But he was fully aware that God's gift of land to the Israelites, carefully apportioned as each tribe required, was all these things.
One more thing - remember that the psalms point to Jesus. So where is Jesus in this verse? I would say he's in the rest of the passage, and there are key concepts that reiterate the idea that Jesus is given "land." Let me explain.
On earth, the Son of man had "no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). Like the Israelites wandering, he went from place to place, never having the security of a home. But there are two verses in this passage that speak of Jesus' future residence with God: Verse 9 - "My body also will rest secure", and verse 11, "You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand". If we plug Jesus into this verse - as if the pre-incarnate Jesus was giving prophecy to David, then Jesus must have been talking about God's promise of fulfillment for his own security. I may be way off but this is how the truth makes sense for me: I pray it, David prays it, and Jesus prays it.
"have"
Not too much to say about this word, except note the present tense. David and I do not have the true security of boundary lines yet (see the word "inheritance" at the end of this verse). The only thing I can think of is that, in a way, what God has promised is ours even now. We may not be there yet, but it is already ours - kind of when you're on a road trip. You own your house now, but you aren't there yet.
"fallen"
The whole phrase is "the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places." Being an English major, I notice when the Bible uses a passive voice. Up until now, he was saying, "Lord, this is something you do for me." But in this verse he does not directly mention God. He does not say, "You have put the boundary lines in place." He words it as if the boundary lines simply fell from the sky. I find this interesting because in the next line, he will do the same thing when he says "Surely I have a delightful inheritance" instead of "Surely you give me a delightful inheritance." I don't know the significance, but it is an aberration from the way the rest of the psalm is worded, and I notice it - especially since it is the crux of the whole passage.
"for me"
He didn't have to say this; he could have just said "the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places." But this emphasizes us and ours.
"in pleasant"
Another form of this word occurs in the last verse: "with eternal pleasures at your right hand." I love the pairing of "pleasant places" with "delightful inheritance." God is good.
"places"
There's that land again. A place of residence and permanence, and a "pleasant" one, no less.
"Surely"
Security/safety theme repeated here.
"I have"
Repetition of two things: 1 - the present tense. He said "have" in the previous line.
2 - A passive way of stating it, as in the previous line. Instead of saying, "You have given me a delightful inheritance," he says "I have a delightful inheritance," as if it fell from the sky. Again - I don't know the significance, but it is different from the rest of the verses, so it's interesting.
"a delightful"
I just love that word. Delight, pleasure - it is ours, it is David's, and it is the place where Jesus lives and delights in the Father.
"inheritance"
The funny thing about an inheritance is that it is typically claimed after someone gives up the ghost. But remember the story of the prodigal son? He claimed his inheritance BEFORE his father died. It was extremely disrespectful and selfish, and, it turns out, unwise. Yet the inheritance was technically his even before he claimed it, just as the older brother's portion of the inheritance was his own. The promise of something from God is just as good as if it is already ours.
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