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Walking through a graveyard in Scotland, I read this inscription on a tombstone:
CATHARINE MACKINTOSH
who died January 15th 1891
PSALM 31st 5th VERSE
I couldn’t recall from memory Psalm 31:5, so I looked it up. . .
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth (KJV).
My impressions of this verse chiseled in granite, were different than most, and most would agree that my thoughts are often unusual!
I knew that the majority language spoken in Scotland in the past wasn’t Gaelic (sorry, Outlander fans) or English, but “Scots.” And in the 1890s all three languages were spoken, but what happened to Scots and Gaelic?
The King James Bible!
There was never an adequate translation of the entire Bible in Gaelic or Scots, and the Scottish Presbyterians were people of the Book. With the only Book available written in King James English—the language of Britain asserted itself.
The inscription in English of PSALM 31st 5th VERSE is historically significant!
Now my more personal impression (language and culture wars aside)—what a wonderful message for an end-of-life summary!
Those of faith should all say, “God, I commit my spirit to you. You have given me redemption in Christ, and I wait until that day when my spirit will be revealed in a new and eternal body.”
This understanding of our spirit inhabiting a new body is reflected in the King James Version of Second Corinthians 5th 1st Verse. . .
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
In First Corinthians 15th, the Apostle Paul explains the reasoning behind committing our spirits to God—Jesus lived a perfect life, was crucified and resurrected, and his physical body was seen by hundreds. Because of Jesus’s example, we will be redeemed in a new body for all eternity.
Paul also defines this new body. . .
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power (First Corinthians 15th 42nd and 43rd verses, King James Version).
The tombstone of CATHARINE MACKINTOSH didn’t record a date of birth, only the day of her redemption by the Lord God of truth.
In our culture today, many proclaim truth, but the problem with their truth is that none can proclaim redemption in a physical body to live with Jesus amidst friends and relatives for eternity.
Amen, CATHARINE. Peace out!